Method and device for producing dimethyl ether from methanol

US8884074B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions Germany GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Ahlers · Dietzenbach, DE
• Gerhard Birke · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Harald Koempel · Neu-Isenburg, DE
• Hermann Bach · Heiligenroth, DE
• Martin Rothaemel · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Waldemar Liebner · Oberursel, DE
• Walter Boll · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Veronika Gronemann · Karben, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 19, 2009
• Grant date: Nov 11, 2014
• Expiry date: Nov 4, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D3/143
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process produces dimethyl ether (DME) from methanol (MeOH). The process includes charging a feed mixture consisting of raw MeOH and a process-internally obtained return flow substantially consisting of unconverted MeOH and reaction water to an MeOH column. The feed mixture is evaporated in the MeOH column to form a first distillate substantially consisting of vaporous MeOH. The first distillate is supplied to a reactor and the MeOH is converted to DME by splitting off water in the reactor so as to form a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is withdrawn from the reactor, charged to a mixture column and separated into a bottom product substantially consisting of water and a second distillate substantially consisting of DME and MeOH. The second distillate is separated in a DME column into a third distillate substantially consisting of DME, a bottom product consisting essentially of water-poor MeOH, and uncondensable gases discharged overhead. The bottom product is either supplied to a top of the MeOH column or mixed with another bottom product withdrawn from a forerun column.