DIMETHYL ETHER PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC C07C43/04 C07C41/09 C07C41/01 

FIELD: petrochemical processes.

SUBSTANCE: process comprises consecutively performed catalytic conversion of synthesis gas in methanol synthesis reactor(s) and synthesis products in methanol dehydration reactor(s). Resulting liquid phase containing methanol, dimethyl ether, and water is separated in two distillation steps to give dimethyl ether in the first step and methanol-water mixture in the second step. Methanol-water mixture is divided into two streams, one being used as absorbent when washing flushing gas and the other being routed to the second distillation step. Gas phase contains unconverted synthesis gas and dimethyl ether. A part of gas phase is combined with initial synthesis gas and the other part (flushing gas) is washed to remove dimethyl ether. Dimethyl ether-charged absorbent is supplied to first distillation step. Methanol from second distillation step is returned to cycle between methanol synthesis reactor(s) and methanol dehydration reactor(s). Preferably, absorbent is used washing stage in amount 20 to 100% of the weight of liquid phase.

EFFECT: increased degree of synthesis gas-into-dimethyl ether conversion, reduced level of dimethyl ether in flushing gas, and simplified process flowsheet.

1 dwg, 3 tbl, 3 ex