KINETICS OF METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER SYNTHESIS CATALYZED BY ION-EXCHANGE RESIN

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the kinetics of liquid phase reaction between methanol and isobutene, catalyzed by an acidic ion-exchange resin, to form methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). A one-liter Parr batch reactor was used. Experiments were carried out at 70, 80, 90 and 100°C and at pressures sufficient to maintain liquid phase at those temperatures. Initial methanol/isobutane mole ratios of 1.0 and 2.0 were used. The catalyst amount was also varied. These kinetic data were used to model the reaction kinetics, by the non-linear least squares regression technique. The reaction was found to follow Rideal-Eley kinetics. The values of the rate constants are reported.