Prozess zur Herstellung von MTBE

摘要

A catalytic distillation process for the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from the reaction of tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and methanol (MeOH) is provided. A mixture of the reactants is fed into the reaction distillation column, preferably below a bed of acid ion exchange resin catalyst which constitutes a reaction distillation zone. In the reaction distillation zone the reactants contact the acid ion exchange resin catalyst and catalytically react to form MTBE and water. Some isobutene may also be formed. The acid ion exchange resin catalyst is in such a form as to act as both the catalyst for the reaction and distillation structure for the fractional distillation. A frothing liquid level is maintained in the catalyst bed to provide good contact and wetting of the catalyst.