Development and start‐up of a fixed bed reaction column for manufacturing antiknock enhancer MTBE

Abstract

AbstractA laboratory fixed‐bed reaction column is presented, in which a heterogeneouslyl catalyzed reversible fluid‐phase reaction and the separation of the reaction product from unreacted or inert components by distillation are performed simultaneously. The rection studied, the formation of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from methanol and isobutylene, is catalyzed by strongly acidic macroreticular ion exchange resins. Packing elements are Raschig rings, manufactured for the first time from the above‐mentioned ion exchange resins. This in‐house made catalyst shows practically the same ion exchange capacity as the commercial products. The control system installed in the equipment is capable of correcting strong disturbances os the steady state. As shown by expwrimental results, the superimposed distillation process occurs in such a way that the chemical equilibrium of the MTBE synthesis does not limit isobutylene conversion.