摘要 |
An improved method is disclosed for regenerating adsorbents used in an integrated process for the production of ethers such as methyl tertiary butyl ether by the reaction of an alcohol with an isoolefin. The sorbents are used to remove oxygenated compounds such as the product ether and the feed alcohol from a hydrocarbon-rich stream withdrawn from the etherification zone. The regeneration procedure includes contacting the sorbent with a heated hydrocarbon stream. The resultant contaminated hydrocarbon stream is passed into a stripping column used to remove light ends from the effluent of a dehydrogenation zone in which the isoolefin fed to the etherification zone is produced. The oxygenated compounds collected on the sorbent are thus selectively recycled or rejected rather than being destroyed or lost in low purity effluent streams. |