INVESTIGATIONS IN A CATALYTIC DISTILLATION PILOT-PLANT - VAPOR-LIQUID-EQUILIBRIUM, KINETICS, AND MASS-TRANSFER ISSUES

This paper describes a research project currently under way to establish the necessary parameters for the design of a catalytic distillation unit to produce oxygenates. Experimental data regarding production of tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) from a catalytic distillation pilot plant will be presented and discussed. Some preliminary attempts at modeling these results will also be described. Work in the areas of chemical equilibrium, kinetics, mass transfer, and hydraulics as they apply to catalytic distillation will be described. This work includes fundamental laboratory research as well as experiences in a pilot plant. TAME was selected as the subject of this study since there is a great deal of commercial interest in the production of oxygenates from heavier feedstocks. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) production is commonly practiced via catalytic distillation, but the application of this technology to the production of TAME is in its developmental stage.