Process for removal of nitriles from etherification feedstocks

摘要

A process is disclosed for improving catalyst performance and yields in the manufacture of motor gasoline components. More particularly the process is directed to the removal of trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile from a hydrocarbon feedstock such as a C4-C6 product fraction from a fluid catalytic cracking unit, which may be used subsequently in an etherification process for the production of ethers such as MTBE and TAME. The hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to a water wash zone for the removal of the trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile and the spent water comprising the nitriles is contacted with a nitrile-lean stream to regenerate the wash water. A portion of the spent water stream is withdrawn to reduce the nitrile level in the nitrile-lean water stream. The combined water wash, regeneration, and water recycle steps provide protection for the etherification zone catalyst with a significantly reduced requirement for wash water and spent wash water disposal.