CATALYTIC DESTRUCTION OF METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER (MTBE) WITH A PTRH MONOLITHIC AUTOMOTIVE EXHAUST CATALYST/

The destruction of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) was studied usin g a Pt/Rh monolithic automotive catalyst. Inlet temperatures to the ca talyst ranged from about 450 to about 775 K, and the amount of oxygen in the feed ranged from 0 to about 120% of stoichiometric. The presenc e of carbon dioxide, water and i-octane (2,2,4-trimethyl pentane) in t he feed was also investigated. The decomposition of MTBE into methanol and i-butene (2-methyl-1-propene) was kinetically significant at thes e conditions. Both methanol and i-butene were present in the effluent from the catalyst at all operating conditions. Carbon dioxide and wate r had no significant effect on the kinetics of MTBE disappearance. The rate of MTBE destruction was faster than the oxidation of i-octane. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.