Process for manufacturing a tertiary alkyl ether by reactive distillation

Claim 1

A process for manufacturing a tertiary alkyl ether by reacting an aliphatic alcohol with a hydrocarbon mixture containing at least one iso-olefin, in a reaction-distillation zone defined by an enclosure of substantially cylindrical shape, containing at least one catalyst of the sulfonated resin type, characterized by the steps of: (i) introducing the reactant charge containing at least said alcohol and at least said hydrocarbon mixture into said reaction-distillation zone, which contains: (a) at least two superposed and non-contiguous fixed beds of said catalyst of sulfonated resin type, each of said beds being placed on a perforated support member and comprising a plurality of fabric pockets containing said catalyst, free spaces being provided between said pockets, (b) at least one catalyst-free distillation zone, located in at least one free space between two consecutive catalyst beds, (c) at least one catalyst-free discontinuous tray for liquid redistribution, located in at least one free space between a distillation zone and the catalyst bed just below said distillation zone, wherein each discontinuous liquid redistribution tray is provided with at least one funnel or duct through which a vapor phase passes, (ii) maintaining distillation conditions in the reaction-distillaton zone, so as to have a descending liquid phase and an ascending vapor phase in said zone, (iii) discharging from the top of the reaction-distillation zone a vapor phase mainly containing unconverted hydrocarbons, and (iv) withdrawing from the bottom (10) of the reaction-distillation zone a liquid phase mainly containing said tertiary alkyl ether.