CHARACTERIZATION OF MULTICOMPONENT DIFFUSION EFFECTS IN MTBE SYNTHESIS

The application of multicomponent diffusion theory to characterize int racatalyst mass-transfer resistances in the liquid-phase synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether using acidic ion exchange resins is discussed. By formulation of invariant solutions to the multicomponent conservat ion equations, the system of coupled differential equations is reduced to a single ordinary differential equation and solved using orthogona l collocation. The parameters characterizing the invariant solutions a re shown to yield significant, insight into the nature of the diffusio n processes and illustrate the importance of accounting for multicompo nent diffusion effects. A comparison between model predictions and pub lished experimental data indicates good agreement between model and ex periment in the limit where diffusion of methanol is rate limiting.