Residue Curve Map Determination and Synthesis of Ethyl tert-Butyl Ether via Reactive Distillation

Ethyl tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE) is considered next generation fuel additive and its use is growing in the world as octane booster as well as oxygenate for gasoline fuels. This study deals with the experimental residue curve map (RCM) determination for ETBE synthesis using an ion exchange resin catalyst, at wide range of molar feed ratio of reactants. RCM experiments revealed the existence of a quaternary reactive azeotrope at 349 K. Molar feed ratio of 1:1.5 (TBA:EtOH) was found optimum. Results of batch kinetics and RCM studies were used in an experimental reactive distillation column for ETBE synthesis using ion exchange resin catalyst CT-145H. The column was also simulated at optimum operating conditions using CHEMCAD(A (R)) as simulation tool. The experimental and simulation results were then compared.