Methanol to Gasoline
Methanol conversion to gasoline
technology
ExxonMobil’s methanol to gasoline (MTG) process selectively converts
methanol to a single fungible liquid fuel and a small LPG stream. The liquid
product is conventional gasoline with virtually no sulphur and low benzene,
which can be sold as is or blended with ethanol, methanol or with petroleum
refinery stocks. This minimizes offsite and logistic complexity and investment for
synthetic fuel distribution.
Proven process
Key benefits Methanol-to-gasoline chemistry was discovered by ExxonMobil scientists in the 1970s. Over years of
Low technical risk extensive studies and pilot plant operations, ExxonMobil developed an understanding of the MTG reactions
• Proven technology and and process conditions necessary to consistently produce motor gasoline. In 1979, a fixed bed design was
components completed and thoroughly demonstrated at 4 BPD capacity (today proven scalable up to 15 KBD).
Low project risk In this design, methanol is first dehydrated over an MTG reaction paths
• Methanol front-end
amorphous alumina catalyst to an equilibrium
plants well established
mixture of di-methyl ether (DME), methanol, and 2 CH3OH CH3OCH3 + H2O
Methanol Di-Methyl Ether
Project simplicity water. The DME reactor effluent is introduced into
CH3OH, CH3OCH3 Light Olefins + H2O
• Single liquid the MTG reactors wherein methanol and DME are Methanol, Di-Methyl Ether
product suitable for completely dehydrated by a proprietary catalyst
transportation Light Olefins C5+ Olefins
forming light olefins and water. At the MTG reactor
Paraffins
conditions, light olefins oligomerize into higher C5+ Olefins Naphthenes Gasoline
Proven scalability
olefins, which combine through various reaction Aromatics
• Up to 15 KBD for a
range of applications paths into paraffins, naphthenes, and methylated
aromatics. The shape-selective MTG catalyst limits
the hydrocarbon synthesis reactions to about C11.
MTG reactor section process flow
DME
MeOH
MTG
Raw gasoline
to recovery
Water section
Proven plants
ExxonMobil commercialized the first gas-to-gasoline plant in New Zealand in 1985. The New Zealand plant
produced 14,500 BPD of gasoline and was operated by the New Zealand Synthetic Fuels Corporation, a joint
venture between the government of New Zealand and ExxonMobil, until 1995. Operation of the first coal-to-
gasoline plant via 2nd generation MTG technology began in 2009 in China by Jincheng Antracite Mining Group
(JAMG). This 2,500 BPD gasoline plant began operations in 2009 and successfully demonstrated the coal-to-
gasoline concept. After two years of operation, JAMG and ExxonMobil agreed to license an engineering
agreement for two additional MTG units at 12,500 BPD each.
Proven performance MTG Gasoline Properties/Composition
The conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons and
Octane, RON 92
water is virtually complete with the product being a
Octane, MON 82
mixture of synthesis hydrocarbons and water with a
limited amount of C2- gases. Production yields, Octane (RON+MON)/2 87
product qualities, and catalyst performance are stable RVP (psi)1 9
during operation with little variation in the product. T (50) F 201
The liquid product is conventional gasoline with T (90) F 320
virtually no sulphur and low benzene, which can be
Paraffins, vol% 53
sold as is or blended with ethanol or methanol or with
Olefins, vol% 12
petroleum refinery feedstocks.
Naphthenes, vol% 9
Aromatics, vol% 26
Benzene, vol% 0.3
Sulfur nil
Continued technology advancement
In March 2015 ExxonMobil and Sinopec Engineering Group (SEG) announced a joint technology development
agreement for advancement of a fluidized-bed MTG technology. The goal is to develop a fluidized-bed MTG
design that will cost significantly less to construct and operate, and significantly improve energy efficiency
versus the fixed bed design.
About Technology Licensing & Catalysts
ExxonMobil licenses both downstream and chemical technologies and offers proprietary catalysts for fuels,
lubricants, plastics and other chemicals. The company’s extensive experience can help to provide technology
solutions that contribute to cost reduction, environmental compliance, reliability, plant automation, and
other areas.
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