PROCESS FOR THE CATALYTIC HYDRATION OF OLEFINS

摘要

A process is disclosed for converting light olefin(s) to alcohol(s), ether(s) or a mixture of alcohol(s) and ether(s) which comprises contacting a feed containing at least one light olefin with water in the vapour and/or liquid phase under olefin hydration conditions in the presence of acidic zeolite Beta as catalyst to produce said alcohol(s), ether(s) or mixture thereof. The process is especially applicable to the hydration of a propylene-containing feed, for example, a refinery FCC stream containing a substantial amount of propylene, to provide a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and diisopropyl ether (DIPE) which is particularly useful as an octane improver for gasoline.