Process for the preparation of methyl tertiary butyl ether.

摘要

Continuous process for prodn. of methyl tert. butyl ether (MTBE) from methanol and tert. butyl alcohol (TBA) comprises: (a) passing MeOH and TBA in molar ratio 2-3; 1 through a first catalytic etherification zone at LRSV 1-10 to form a first product mixture (I) comprising MeOH, TBA, water, isobutylene and MTBE; (b) passing (I) to a first distillation zone, and separating it into a lighter fraction (II) comprising isobutylene, MeOH and MTBE, and a heavier fraction (III) comprising MeOH, TBA and water; (c) passing (II) to a second catalytic etherification zone at LHSV 1-10, to form a second product mixture (IV) comprising MeOH, isobutylene and MTBE; and (d) separating (IV) in a solvent extraction zone to produce a raffinate (V) comprising isobutylene and MTBE, and an extract comprising MeOH, TBA and water.