Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for reactive distillation

US5026459A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
11References
9Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 1989
Grant dateJun 25, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 24, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S203/06
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The invention concerns a process and apparatus for manufacturing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by reacting methanol with an isobutene-containing hydrocarbon mixture. This process is characterized by the steps of: PA1 introducing the reactants into a reaction-distillation zone containing at least two superposed and non-contiguous fixed beds (2a, 2b) of catalyst of the sulfonated resin type, wherein passageways are provided for a vapor phase, at least one distillation tray (4a), at least one liquid redistribution tray (5), PA1 maintaining distillation conditions in the zone so as to have a descending liquid phase and an ascending vapor phase, PA1 maintaining a continuous liquid phase in the lower part of the beds, PA1 discharging a vapor phase containing a high proportion of unconverted hydrocarbons from the top (8) of the zone, and PA1 withdrawing a liquid phase of high MTBE content from the bottom (10) of the zone.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.