Abstract:
A tubular reactor is described, for catalytic reactions involving thermal exchanges, in particular for etherification reactions between branched olefins and linear alcohol, for dimerization reactions of branched olefins or cracking reactions, essentially consisting of a vertical tube-bundle exchanger whose tubes contain catalyst, having inlet and outlet nozzles for each passage side of the reagents, catalyst and thermal exchange liquid, characterized in that it has one or more metallic supports situated outside the lower tube plate in the lower part of the reactor for sustaining the catalyst so that the same catalyst is contained not only in the tubes of the tube-bundle but also in said lower part outside the lower tube plate and also in the upper part outside the upper tube plate.
Abstract:
Process for the production of alkyl ethers by the etherification of isobutene, contained in C4-C5 hydrocarbon streams, with linear alcohol, in the presence of acid catalysts, comprising the following essential steps: a) feeding the isobutene contained in C4-C5 hydrocarbon cuts, together with one or more streams containing linear alcohol, to a first reaction step; b) sending the stream leaving the first reaction step to a first distillation area, separating a light stream from a heavy stream containing the desired ether; c) feeding the light stream separated in the first distillation area, together with one or more streams containing linear alcohol, to a second reaction step; d) sending the stream leaving the second reaction step to a second distillation area separating a light stream from a heavy stream containing ether, C4 hydrocarbons and alcohol which is recycled to the first distillation area; e) sending the light stream in the second distillation area to a recovery section of the linear alcohol contained therein; f) recycling the linear alcohol recovered in the recovery section to at least one of the two reaction steps. The present invention relates to plant solutions which allow the alcohol/isobutene molar ratio to be increased in the reaction steps and therefore maximizing the conversion of isobutene.
Abstract:
Process for the production of high-purity isobutene starting from a stream prevalently containing MTBE (Methyl-Tert Butyl Ether) or ETBE (Ethyl-Tert Butyl Ether) which essentially comprises the following areas in sequence: · a fractionation area for obtaining a stream of high- purity MTBE or ETBE; • a cracking area of said stream of MTBE or ETBE for obtaining an outgoing stream prevalently containing isobutene and the relative alcohol, methanol or ethanol; • a washing area with water of the stream leaving the cracking area for the recovery of the relative alcohol, in order to obtain a stream containing isobutene, the ether fed and light compounds and a stream substantially consisting of water and relative alcohol, with a relevant fractionation section for separating the washing water to be recycled to the same washing area from the relative alcohol; • a fractionation area of the stream containing isobutene, the ether fed and light compounds for separating a stream of high-purity isobutene. The process can be possibly integrated with a process for the production of MTBE or ETBE.
Abstract:
A process is described for obtaining high-purity 1-butene starting from C 4 hydrocarbon mixtures containing isobutene, n-butane, isobutane, 1, 3 -butadiene, 1-butene, 2- butenes and also optionally C 3 and C 5 hydrocarbons, comprising the following stages: conversion of isobutene effected in a double stage, wherein each stage consists of one or more reactors followed by a distillation column for the recovery of the reaction product; recovery of the excess alcohol; recovery of 1-butene using at least two distillation columns; characterised in that it also uses a further conversion stage, consisting of one or more reactors in series, for completing the isobutene removal.
Abstract:
A tubular reactor is described, for catalytic reactions involving thermal exchanges, in particular for etherification reactions between branched olefins and linear alcohol, for dimerization reactions of branched olefins or cracking reactions, essentially consisting of a vertical tube-bundle exchanger whose tubes contain catalyst, having inlet and outlet nozzles for each passage side of the reagents, catalyst and thermal exchange liquid, characterized in that it has one or more metallic supports situated outside the lower tube plate in the lower part of the reactor for sustaining the catalyst so that the same catalyst is contained not only in the tubes of the tube-bundle but also in said lower part outside the lower tube plate and also in the upper part outside the upper tube plate.