摘要 |
A process is disclosed for performing an exothermic reaction such as the etherification of isobutylene with methanol. The feed is charged to a vertical reaction zone containing a solid catalyst. Heat released by the exothermic reaction partially vaporizes the reactants, with the vapors traveling upward to a condensing zone. All of the condensable vapors entering the condensing zone are condensed and returned downward to the catalyst bed. A single effluent stream made up of the product, excess reactants and any unreactive compounds present in the feed streams is removed from the bottom of the reaction zone. This total reflux reaction zone allows temperature control within a catalyst bed without the use of indirect heat exchangers located within the reaction zone.
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