Institut Francais Du Pe'trole

Elf France

Jacques Leonard

Pierre Amigues

Jean-Ferdinand Gaillard

Jean-Luc Nocca

Jean Gaillard

Lionel Asselineau

Dang V Quang

Jean Alain Chodorge

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for manufacturing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by reacting methanol with isobutene-containing hydrocarbons in a reaction zone having alternate beds of sulfonated resin catalyst and catalyst-free distillation zones wherein the zones also contain liquid redistribution plates.

Apparatus for reactive distillation

The invention concerns a process for manufacturing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by reacting methanol with an isobutene-containing hydrocarbon mixture. This process is characterized by the steps of:

Process for manufacturing a tertiary alkyl ether by reactive distillation

Process for manufacturing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by reacting methanol with isobutene-containing hydrocarbons in a reaction zone comprising alternate beds of sulfonated resin catalyst and catalyst-free distillation zones, said zones also comprising liquid redistribution plates.

A C.sub.4 and/or C.sub.5 olefinic hydrocarbon cut, containing dimethyl ether and water as impurities, in a relative proportion of dimethyl ether to water of at most 5:1, is purified in a distillation zone where it is introduced at an intermediate level, distant from the top or from the bottom thereof by at least 3 theoretical plates, optionally with a stripping gas, and separated into a overhead fraction comprising an aqueous liquid phase and a hydrocarbon liquid phase at least partially recycled as reflux to the upper part of the distillation zone, and a bottom fraction formed of the purified C.sub.4 and/or C.sub.5 olefinic cut.

Growing community of inventors

Montigny, France

Jacques Leonard