METHOD OF PREPARING ALKYL ETHERS AND MIXTURES THEREOF Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: petrochemistry. SUBSTANCE: hydrocarbon-containing stock is fed into system of catalytic distillation reactors in which isoolefins, more particularly C₄-C₇ iso- olefins of stock are made to react with alkanol in the presence of cation-exchange resin to prepare tertiary alkyl ethers. Ether-containing reaction product is removed from distillation system in the form of residual product and optionally further treated to prepare gasoline component. Unreacted alkanol is removed as distillate product. Distillate being withdrawn comprises substantially azeotrope of C₃-hydrocarbons and alkanol. Amount of C₃ in said distillate corresponds at least to concentration of C₃ hydrocarbons in hydrocarbon stock, and considerable amount of unreacted alkanol is removed in the form said azeotrope. EFFECT: no need of using individual device for washing alkanol in system of reactors and considerable reduction in capital outlays for equipment. 14 cl, 2 dwg, 2 ex, 2 tbl