Distillation columns, waste reduction

Finally, integrating chemical reaction and separation in a single vessel offers opportunities for waste reduction. As an example of this strategy, consider the synthesis of methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Two processes are in common industrial use in the synthesis of MTBE from methanol and isobutylene. In one process, a series of fixed-bed catalytic reactors send a mix of product, unreacted methanol, and unreacted isobutylene to a series of separation devices. In an alternative process configuration, the feed materials are sent to a distillation column that contains a series of catalytic beds. The processes are contrasted in Fig. 17. There are several advantages to the catalytic distillation configuration ... 

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