Ethermax process

S. Davis., UOP Ethermax Process for MTBE, ETBE, and TAME Production , Handbook of Petroleum Refining Processes - second ediUon, 13.9-13.12, (1997). 

UOP Ether FCC raffinate and steamcracking butadiene Ethermax process produces MTBE, ETBE or TAME 39 1997... 

Figure 3.34 shows a schematic of the Ethermax process by Hiils AG and UOP [61]. Feed for the process includes methanol or ethanol and hydrocarbon streams containing reactive tertiary olefins such as isoamylene and isobutylene. Typical hydrocarbon streams are FCC light gasoline, steam cracker C4 hydrocarbons, or product from a butane dehydrogenation unit. In the production of MTBE, the feed first passes through an optional water wash system (1) to remove resin contaminants. The majority of the reaction is carried out in a... 

Figure 3.34 A schematic of the Ethermax process by Hfils AG and UOP. (I) water wash system, (2) simple fixed-bed reactor, (3) distillation (RWD) column, (4,5) methanol-water distillation column. Source [61].

Over the last decade reactive distillation (RD) has become a key technology for meeting increased productivity demands. The best-known example in C4 chemistry is given by MTBE (methyl tert butyl ether) synthesis. Both the CD Tech process and the Ethermax process by UOP consist of fixed-bed reactors followed by an RD col-... 

RWD [Reaction with distillation] A general chemical process in which a chemical reaction takes place within a distillation column, of which the packing is also the catalyst. First used in the 1920s. See Ethermax. 

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