Conversion of ethanol to high octane motor spirit

Zsm5 zeolite (the mobil catalyst) has a unique capacity to catalyse the conversion of a wide range of gaseous and liquid organic materials to liquid hydrocarbons. Particular interest has been attached to the conversion of synthesis gas derived methanol to motor spirit. The possibility of applying zsm5 catalyst to ethanol and aqueous ethanol has been examined. Ethanol is a less suitable reactant than methanol, and gives mainly ethylene under mild reaction conditions. Under more drastic conditions some 40 per cent of the carbon content of ethanol is converted to aromatic hydrocarbons, which represent high octane components of motor spirit. Most of the residual carbon content is converted into light hydrocarbons, which can in turn be converted into aromatic hydrocarbons under comparable conditions using 'dry' zsm5 catalyst. The conditions for zsm5 catalysed ethanol conversion are outlined. The relative merits of ethanol and synthesis gas as petrochemical feedstocks are discussed briefly (a).