Process for preparing highly pure raffinate II and Methyl tert-butyl ether

US6657090B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OXENO OLEFINCHEMIE GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Armin Matthias Rix · Marl, DE
• Gerda Grund · Coesfeld, DE
• Wilfried Bueschken · Haltern, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 19, 2001
• Grant date: Dec 2, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 19, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/10
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides a process, which includes:contacting at least one C4-hydrocarbon stream which includes isobutene with methanol over at least one acid catalyst and preparing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and a substantially isobutene-free C4-hydrocarbon mixture; whereinin a first stage in one or more first reactors, the isobutene reacts with the methanol over an acid catalyst to form an equilibrium mixture which includes MTBE, remaining isobutene and methanol;the equilibrium mixture is fed to a second stage which includes a reactive distillation column; andin the reactive distillation column, the remaining isobutene reacts with methanol over an acid ion exchange resin to form MTBE;wherein the reactive distillation column is operated at a pressure ranging from 3 to 15 bar abs., a reaction zone temperature ranging from 55° C. to 75° C., and a reflux ratio of less than 1. The present invention also provides a method of making gasoline, which includes the above process and contacting the MTBE with a fuel.