PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALKYL ETHERS BY THE ETHERIFICATION OF ISOBUTENE

摘要

Process for the production of alkyl ethers by the etherification of isobutene, contained in C₄-C₅ hydrocarbon streams, with linear alcohol, in the presence of acid catalysts, comprising the following essential steps: a) feeding the isobutene contained in C₄-C₅ hydrocarbon cuts, together with one or more streams containing linear alcohol, to a first reaction step; b) sending the stream leaving the first reaction step to a first distillation area, separating a light stream from a heavy stream containing the desired ether; c) feeding the light stream separated in the first distillation area, together with one or more streams containing linear alcohol, to a second reaction step; d) sending the stream leaving the second reaction step to a second distillation area separating a light stream from a heavy stream containing ether, C₄ hydrocarbons and alcohol which is recycled to the first distillation area; e) sending the light stream in the second distillation area to a recovery section of the linear alcohol contained therein; f) recycling the linear alcohol recovered in the recovery section to at least one of the two reaction steps. The present invention relates to plant solutions which allow the alcohol /isobutene molar ratio to be increased in the reaction steps and therefore maximizing the conversion of isobutene.