Process for the preparation of highly pure raffinate II and methyl tert-butyl ether

摘要

An isobutene-free methyl-tert-butylether and a 4C hydrocarbon mixture are prepared by reaction of an isobutene containing 4C hydrocarbon stream with methanol in the presence of an acid catalyst by a two step process in which the second step comprises reaction of residual isobutene at an acid ion exchange resin in a reactive distillation column using a recycle ratio of less than 1. Production of methyl-tert-butylether (MTBE) and a 4C hydrocarbon mixture essentially free of isobutene by reaction of an isobutene containing 4C hydrocarbon stream with methanol in the presence of an acid catalyst comprises as a first step reaction, in at least one reactor, of isobutene with methanol to a state of equilibrium and, in a second step, reaction of the residual isobutene in the mixture at an acid ion exchange resin in a reactive distillation column whereby the reactive distillation column is operated at 3-15 bara and 55-75 degrees C using a recycle ratio of less than 1.