Control parameters for the boiling distillation tower in MTBE plants
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Hello everyone! The middle section of the azeotropic distillation column on my end is filled with cation exchange resin, which is used to absorb the heat of reaction by allowing the unreacted isobutylene in the etherification reactor to react with additional methanol. And in that case, how can control be exerted to ensure that isobutylene does not polymerize or only polymerizes to a small extent, thereby preventing the catalyst from being damaged? ? ? I hope everyone will share their experiences with me. Thank you. :)
The azeotropic tower only has a methanol feed line; therefore, only isobutylene can remain in the etherification reactor so as to react further in the azeotropic tower. And in that case, how can isobutylene polymerization be suppressed?
What production process does your factory use? Is it catalytic distillation towers?
Yes, it is catalytic distillation. Please give me your guidance. Thank you
The isobutylene content in the catalytic reaction distillation column is approximately 2–3%; it may also polymerize, and being discharged from the bottom of the MTBE column, it affects the quality； This mainly depends on the temperature control of the reaction; it is necessary to properly control the temperature of the reaction zone and the residence time, in accordance with the requirements specified in the process manual.
The key is to maintain proper pressure in the catalytic distillation tower; it should not be too high, generally around 0.5 to 0.g MPa. This prevents the temperature in the etherification reactor from rising too much. The alcohol-to-ether ratio should be kept between 1.05 and 1.2, and methanol is added primarily to increase the conversion rate.
Thank you all for your comments; they are very helpful for someone like me who is just starting out. Thank you!
Based on everyone’s opinions, the key is to control the amount of methanol added and the temperature of the reactive distillation column. In fact, if the temperature of the reactive distillation tower is high, and without making significant adjustments to the steam volume, the water flow rate, or the circulation volume, it is likely that changes in the feed composition have resulted in an insufficient amount of methanol being added. Methanol can be added in an appropriate amount by analyzing the samples from the pump located in the reactive distillation tower and the pump that feeds water to the wash tower.