Development And Application Of Catalytic Distillation Process In MTBE Synthesis

The internal structures packed in catalytic distillation columns wereextensively studied in this thesis. A novel type of structure called MP-â…¢ structure,developed by Jinxi petrochemical company and other investigation organizations,was tested in the catalytic distillation process of MTBE synthesis both inlaboratory and pilot plant scale. A mathematical model was developed for thesimulation of catalytic distillation process. The model was used to simulatecatalyzed distillation process on a pilot plant scale, both the conversion ratio ofiso-BUTANE and purity of MTBE synthesized was in good agreement betweenthe predicted and experimental data. Jinxi Petrochemical Company adopted theMP-â…¢structured internal in the catalytic distillation column for the revamping ofexisted installation. In April 2004, the revamped installation was successfullystarted-up and the capacity was improved from 20,000 tons to 45,000 tonsannually. Both the conversion ratio of iso-BUTANE and MTBE purity met the aimof design.