US4440963A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of MTBE and ETBE
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1982-08-09
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Granted: 1984-04-03
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Expires: 2002-08-09
Abstract
Abstract The fractionation of the methanol- or ethanol-containing methyl-(or ethyl)-tertiary-butyl ether reactor effluent is improved by employing 2-methylpentane to azeotrope methanol or ethanol overhead, or by using 1,1,3-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (F113) to azeotrope methanol overhead, leaving a substantially pure MTBE or ETBE bottoms.
Inventors
- 👤 William V. Childs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:44
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C41/00; C07C41/01; C07C41/34; C07C41/40; C07C41/42; C07C41/05; C07C41/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A process for the production of MTBE which comprises reacting methanol and isobutene under reaction conditions to form a methanol-containing methyl-tertiary butyl ether reactor effluent stream comprising unreacted isobutylene, unreacted methanol, and product methyl tertiary butyl ether, and fractionating said MTBE reactor effluent stream in admixture with an azeotroping component selected from the group consisting of 2-methylpentane and 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, thereby taking unreacted methanol as an azeotropic overhead stream, wherein said overhead stream further contains unreacted isobutylene, and taking as product methyl tertiary butyl ether as bottoms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A process for the production of MTBE which comprises reacting methanol and isobutene under reaction conditions to form a methanol-containing methyl-tertiary butyl ether reactor effluent stream comprising unreacted isobutylene, unreacted methanol, and product methyl tertiary butyl ether, and fractionating said MTBE reactor effluent stream in admixture with an azeotroping component selected from the group consisting of 2-methylpentane and 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, thereby taking unreacted methanol as an azeotropic overhead stream, wherein said overhead stream further contains unreacted isobutylene, and taking as product methyl tertiary butyl ether as bottoms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said azeotroping agent 2-methylpentane or 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane is added prior to the reacting step to form said reactor effluent stream, and becomes a component of said reactor effluent stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said azeotroping agent 2-methylpentane or 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane is added to said reactor effluent stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said overhead stream is recycled at least in part to said reacting step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said azeotroping component is said 2-methylpentane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said azeotroping component is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said azeotroping component is said 2-methylpentane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said azeotroping component is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for the production of ETBE which comprises reacting ethanol and isobutene under ether forming reaction conditions to form an ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether reactor effluent stream comprising unreacted isobutylene, unreacted ethanol, and product ethyl tertiary butyl ether, and fractionating said ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether reactor effluent stream in admixture with 2-methylpentane, thereby taking unreacted ethanol as an ethanol/2-methylpentane azeotropic overhead stream, wherein said overhead stream further contains unreacted isobutylene, and taking product ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether as bottoms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for the production of ETBE which comprises reacting ethanol and isobutene under ether forming reaction conditions to form an ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether reactor effluent stream comprising unreacted isobutylene, unreacted ethanol, and product ethyl tertiary butyl ether, and fractionating said ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether reactor effluent stream in admixture with 2-methylpentane, thereby taking unreacted ethanol as an ethanol/2-methylpentane azeotropic overhead stream, wherein said overhead stream further contains unreacted isobutylene, and taking product ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether as bottoms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 9 wherein said 2-methylpentane is added prior to said reacting step, and is a component of said reactor effluent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 9, wherein said 2-methylpentane is added to said reactor effluent prior to said fractionating step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 9, 10, or 11 wherein said overhead stream is recycled at least in part to said reacting step.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-03 | 1987-10-03 | 1988-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-03 | 1991-10-03 | 1992-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-03 | 1995-10-03 | 1996-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |