ETHERIFICATION-HYDROGENATION PROCESS

摘要

A process for removing dienes from etherification uses a hydrogenation zone in the reactor distillation column above the etherification zone. MTBE is produced and the unreacted C4 stream is also subjected to selective hydrogenation of the butadiene contained in the C4 feed stream. The C4 stream is first contacted with methanol in the etherification zone where the MTBE is distilled downward. The unreacted C4's then are subjected to selective hydrogenation in the hydrogenation zone where butadiene in the overhead raffinate is reduced by over 90%. The hydrotreated C4's are thus suitable for cold acid alkylation or other use wherein butadiene is harmful.