ORGANIZATION OF THE PRODUCTION OF ETHYL -TRET-BUTYL ETHER BASED ON THE CURRENT PRODUCTION OF METHYL TRET-BUTYL ETHER

GVDHXA

Abstract

The article shows the possibility of upgrading the existing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) production plant in order to produce ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) as a target product. ETBE has similar physico-chemical and operational properties in comparison with MTBE, but it is a more environmentally friendly product and has a number of advantages such as higher calorific value, lower saturated vapor pressure and much less hygroscopicity. The described technology of ETBE production, based on the interaction of isobutylene with ethanol on an acid sulfocationite catalyst, is shown to meet the main criteria of modern petrochemical production. The main change in the upgraded production technology is the replacement of methanol with ethanol. The development of this industry will allow Russia to enter the foreign market for the production of gasoline additives, organize exports and become one of the leading countries in this segment of petrochemicals. The use of the plant for the production of both MTBE and ETBE will allow for a timely transition from the synthesis of one ether to another, meet the needs of new consumers and support import substitution in Russia.