PROCESS FOR SEPARATING ETHYL TERT-BUTYL ETHER FROM MIXTURE THEREOF WITH ETHANOL

摘要

A method is described for separating ethyl tert-butyl ether from mixtures which it forms with ethanol. This method is based on a heteroazeotropic distillation using water as the third entraining body. It employs two distillation columns, coupled with a settler at the head. The purified ethanol is collected at the bottom of the first column and the purified ETBE at the bottom of the second column. This method of separation can be integrated with a unit for the production of ETBE comprising the etherification by ethanol of the isobutene contained in a C4 cut from steam cracking, from catalytic cracking or from dehydrogenation of isobutane. The ethanol which has been separated from the ETBE is then recycled in the etherification region.