METHYL TERT-BUTYL ETHER PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: petrochemical synthesis.

SUBSTANCE: isobutylene-containing C₄ fraction is brought into contact with methanol at elevated temperature in presence of H-form sulfocationite catalyst. Process comprises separation of mixture thus obtained into methyl tert-butyl ether and exhausted C₄ fraction. As methanol, a mixture is used obtained from synthesis gas and methanol isolated by rectification from aqueous solutions of methanol washed off the C₂-C₅-hydrocarbon fractions of associated oil gases and petroleum processing gases as well as methanol washed off the exhausted C₄ fraction originated from methyl tert-butyl ether production process. Synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether is first effected in adiabatic layer of supported sulfocationite until conversion of isobutylene achieves 1.5-15.0% and then in isothermic layer of sulfocationite to complete the process. Dosed amounts (between 0.5 and 10 wt %) of methanol isolated by rectification from aqueous solutions of methanol washed off the C₂-C₅-hydrocarbon fractions are mixed with fresh methanol obtained by rectification of synthesis gas.

EFFECT: reduced consumption of methanol and isobutylene, and improved environmental condition.

1 dwg, 3 ex