Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series – Organic compounds – Oxygen containing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-06
2001-07-17
Richter, Johann (Department: 1621)
Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
Organic compounds
Oxygen containing
C203S038000, C203SDIG006
Reexamination Certificate
active
06262314
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a process for preparing ethers such as tert-amyl-methyl-ether (TAME) and methyl-tert-hexyl-ether (MTHE). More specifically, the invention relates to a process using etherification reactors and catalytic distillation so as to provide excellent conversion rates from C5 and C6 iso-olefins to TAME and MTHE.
Various processes are known for using catalytic distillation in order to convert iso-olefins to ethers. Examples of such methods include U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,888 to Hickey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,886 to Tamminen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,005 to Smith, Jr. et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,013 to Jarvelin et al.
In conventional processes, it is difficult to obtain conversion of both iso-C5 and iso-C6 together. In addition, conventional processes provide some conversion, but higher conversion rates are desirable.
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a process whereby excellent conversion rates of iso-olefins to ethers are achieved.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process wherein C5 and C6 iso-olefins are simultaneously converted to TAME and MTHE, each with excellent conversion rates.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a process wherein advantages of both fixed bed etherification reactors and catalytic distillation are combined to provide excellent results.
Other object and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.
According to the invention, a process is provided for preparing ethers, which process comprises the steps of providing a feedstock containing iso-olefins selected from the group consisting of C5 iso-olefins, C6 iso-olefins and mixtures thereof; mixing said feedstock with alkyl alcohol so as to provide a reaction feedstock, feeding said reaction feedstock to a reactor zone in the presence of a first etherification catalyst whereby said alkyl alcohol reacts with said iso-olefins to form alkyl-tert-alkyl ethers so as to provide an intermediate feedstock containing said ethers and unreacted iso-olefins and alkyl alcohol; feeding said intermediate feedstock to a catalytic distillation column having of a second etherification catalyst defining a catalytic zone; mixing additional alkyl alcohol to said intermediate feedstock so as to form azeotropes of said alkyl alcohol with said unreacted iso-olefins without forming azeotropes of said alkyl alcohol with said ethers whereby said catalytic zone is substantially free of said ethers and said unreacted iso-olefins react with said alkyl alcohol in said catalytic zone to form additional alkyl-tert-alkyl ethers.
In accordance with the present invention, the feedstock may preferably contain both C5 and C6 iso-olefins which are converted respectively to TAME and MTHE.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4950803 (1990-08-01), Smith, Jr. et al.
patent: 5248837 (1993-09-01), Smith, Jr. et al.
patent: 5313005 (1994-05-01), Smith, Jr. et al.
patent: 5382706 (1995-01-01), Gonzalez et al.
patent: 5420360 (1995-05-01), Chin et al.
patent: 5431888 (1995-07-01), Hickey et al.
patent: 5536886 (1996-07-01), Tamminen et al.
patent: 5689012 (1997-11-01), Jarvelin et al.
patent: 0 885 866 (1998-12-01), None
Escalante Leonardo
Gonzalez Jose Castor
Hernandez Zaida
Bachman & LaPointe P.C.
Intevep S.A.
Richter Johann
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