ETHYL TERT-BUTYL ETHER (ETBE) SYNTHESIS ON H-MORDENITE - GAS-PHASE KINETICS AND DRIFTS STUDIES

The ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) formation between 313 and 363 K over an H-mordenite catalyst was studied in a packed-bed flow catalytic re actor at atmospheric pressure. An activation energy of 82 kJ/mol and r eaction orders in isobutene and ethanol of 0.8 and -0.8 were found. In situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRI FTS) was used to study the state of the catalyst under reaction condit ions. The IR studies, coupled with the reaction kinetics information, are consistent with the idea that the stability of the H-mordenite cat alyst requires the protective action of ethanol to prevent the occurre nce of isobutene oligomerization products. The high ethanol concentrat ions found in the zeolite pores under the temperature and pressure con ditions employed is also responsible for reaction inhibition. (C) 1995 academic Press, Inc.