Systems and methods for processing a C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbon mixture have been disclosed. The C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbon mixture is separated to remove propane from C.sub.4 hydrocarbons. The resulting C.sub.4 hydrocarbons are then processed in an isomerization unit to produce additional isobutane. The isobutane of the isomerization unit effluent is dehydrogenated in a dehydrogenation unit to produce isobutene. The resulting isobutene is reacted with an alkanol to produce an alkyl tert-butyl ether.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for producing epoxide gasoline blending components includes cracking, in a steam cracker, a hydrocarbon feed to form a first ethylene stream, a first propylene stream, and a C.sub.4 stream comprising isobutene and butadiene; reacting, in a methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) unit, the C.sub.4 stream with a methanol stream to form MTBE and a butadiene-rich C.sub.4 stream; selectively hydrogenating, in a butadiene unit, the butadiene-rich C.sub.4 stream to form a butene-rich C.sub.4 stream including butene-1, cis-butene-2, and trans-butene-2; producing, in an isononanol unit, isononanol and an olefin-rich stream from the butene-rich C.sub.4 stream; and oxidizing the olefin-rich stream in an oxidation unit by combining the olefin-rich stream with an oxidant stream and a catalyst composition to produce the epoxide gasoline blending components.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for producing epoxide gasoline blending components includes cracking, in a steam cracker, a hydrocarbon feed to form a first ethylene stream, a first propylene stream, and a C.sub.4 stream comprising isobutene and butadiene; reacting, in a methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) unit, the C.sub.4 stream with a methanol stream to form MTBE and a butadiene-rich C.sub.4 stream; selectively hydrogenating, in a butadiene unit, the butadiene-rich C.sub.4 stream to form a butene-rich C.sub.4 stream including butene-1, cis-butene-2, and trans-butene-2; producing, in an isononanol unit, isononanol and an olefin-rich stream from the butene-rich C.sub.4 stream; and oxidizing the olefin-rich stream in an oxidation unit by combining the olefin-rich stream with an oxidant stream and a catalyst composition to produce the epoxide gasoline blending components.

Processes and systems for C.sub.3+ monoolefin conversion. In some examples, the process can include reacting a first mixture that includes C.sub.3+ monoolefins and a first oxygenate to produce a first effluent that includes a first ether and <1 wt. % of any first di-C.sub.3+ olefin. A first product that includes the first ether and a first byproduct that includes at least a portion of any first di-C.sub.3+ olefin and unreacted C.sub.3+ monoolefins can be separated from the first effluent. A second olefin mixture, at least a portion of the first byproduct, and a second oxygenate can be combined to produce a second mixture. The second mixture can be reacted to produce a second effluent that includes a second ether and a second di-C.sub.3+ olefin. The reaction of the second mixture can produce a greater amount, on a mole basis, of the second di-C.sub.3+ olefin than the second ether.

Processes and systems for C.sub.3+ monoolefin conversion. In some examples, the process can include reacting a first mixture that includes C.sub.3+ monoolefins and a first oxygenate to produce a first effluent that includes a first ether and <1 wt. % of any first di-C.sub.3+ olefin. A first product that includes the first ether and a first byproduct that includes at least a portion of any first di-C.sub.3+ olefin and unreacted C.sub.3+ monoolefins can be separated from the first effluent. A second olefin mixture, at least a portion of the first byproduct, and a second oxygenate can be combined to produce a second mixture. The second mixture can be reacted to produce a second effluent that includes a second ether and a second di-C.sub.3+ olefin. The reaction of the second mixture can produce a greater amount, on a mole basis, of the second di-C.sub.3+ olefin than the second ether.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a methyl tertiary butyl ether unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a selective butadiene hydrogenation unit transforming greater than or equal to 90% by weight of the butadiene to 1-butene and 2-butene, preferably greater than or equal to 93%, preferably, greater than or equal to 94%, more preferably, greater than or equal to 95% producing a second process stream; passing the second process stream through a hydration unit producing a third process stream and the fuel additive; passing the third process stream through a total hydrogenation unit producing a hydrogenated stream; and passing the hydrogenated stream to a cracker unit.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a methyl tertiary butyl ether unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a selective butadiene hydrogenation unit transforming greater than or equal to 90% by weight of the butadiene to 1-butene and 2-butene, preferably greater than or equal to 93%, preferably, greater than or equal to 94%, more preferably, greater than or equal to 95% producing a second process stream; passing the second process stream through a hydration unit producing a third process stream and the fuel additive; passing the third process stream through a total hydrogenation unit producing a hydrogenated stream; and passing the hydrogenated stream to a cracker unit.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes: passing a first process stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a methyl tertiary butyl ether synthesis unit producing a first recycle stream; passing the first recycle stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive and a second recycle stream; passing the second recycle stream through a recycle hydrogenation unit and a deisobutanizer unit; and recycling the second recycle stream to the methyl tertiary butyl ether synthesis unit.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes: passing a first process stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a methyl tertiary butyl ether synthesis unit producing a first recycle stream; passing the first recycle stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive and a second recycle stream; passing the second recycle stream through a recycle hydrogenation unit and a deisobutanizer unit; and recycling the second recycle stream to the methyl tertiary butyl ether synthesis unit.

Systems and processes for the efficient conversion of high concentration isoolefin streams to tertiary alkyl ethers are disclosed. The systems and processes may include a feed system to advantageously divide the high concentration isoolefin feed to multiple fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor to control the reaction exotherm and achieve a high isoolefin conversion.