Methods for methanol-to-gasoline conversion with forwarding methanol processing

Abstract

Methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) conversion may be performed with forward methanol processing. Methanol may be fed to a first reactor where it may be catalytically converted under dimethyl ether formation conditions in the presence of a first catalyst to form a product mixture comprising dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, and water. The DME may be separated from the methanol and the water and delivered to a second reactor. In the second reactor, the DME may be catalytically converted under MTG conversion conditions in the presence of a second catalyst to form a second product mixture comprising gasoline hydrocarbons and light hydrocarbon gas. The methanol and the water from the first reactor may be separated further to obtain substantially water-free methanol, which may be delivered to the second reactor. The separation of methanol from the water may be performed using the light hydrocarbon gas to effect stripping of the methanol.