Methyl Tertiary Hexyl Ether and Methyl Tertiary Octyl Ether as Gasoline Oxygenates: Assessing Risks from Atmospheric Dispersion and Deposition

Abstract

Methyl tertiary hexyl ether (MtHxE) and methyl tertiary octyl ether (MtOcE) are currently being developed as replacement oxygenates for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE) in gasoline. As was the case with MtBE,

Relevant properties for catalytic activity of sulfonic ion-exchange resins in etherification of isobutene with linear primary alcohols

“…Other ethers can be produced by means of the etherification of isobutene with larger alcohols, namely 1-propanol and 1-butanol, to obtain propyl tert-butyl ether (PTBE) and butyl tert-butyl ether (BTBE). An increase of the number of carbon atoms of the ether leads to a decrease in the vapor pressure and solubility in water, and to an increase in the boiling point [1,2]. These are desirable characteristics for gasoline blenders, because they allow a reduction of fuel evaporative emissions, a reduction of the risk of water contamination, and a dilution of harmful fuel components, like aromatics, what might help to fulfill more restrictive environmental legislation requirements of fuels in the future.…”

Thermodynamic Analysis of the Experimental Equilibria for the Liquid-Phase Etherification of Isobutene with C1 to C4 Linear Primary Alcohols

“…However, the production of heavier ethers from alkene etherification with larger primary alcohols has been scarcely studied. An increase of the number of carbon atoms of ethers leads to a decrease of the vapor pressure and the solubility in water and to an increase in its boiling point. , These are desirable characteristics for fuels, because they entail a reduction of evaporative emissions and risk of water contamination, and because they contribute to a dilution effect of some harmful components, i.e., aromatics.…”

Methyl‐tert‐hexyl ether and methyl‐tert‐octyl ether as gasoline oxygenates: Anticipating widespread risks to community water supply wells

“…As was the case with MtBE, the introduction of these ethers into fuel supplies guarantees their introduction into the environment as well. In an earlier paper we addressed issues of environmental concern related to the atmospheric dispersion and deposition of MtHxE and MtOcE as a result of evaporative and tailpipe emissions [17]. Although the greatest potential for human exposure to environmental MtBE is thought to be through inhalation, the threat posed by leakage of MtBE from LUFTs and its subsequent migration into groundwater resources has been the source of far greater public concern (http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/gasoline/oxy/mtbebp.pdf).…”