ETBE SYNTHESIS VIA REACTIVE DISTILLATION .2. DYNAMIC SIMULATION AND CONTROL ASPECTS

Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is growing in importance as a gasoline o xygenate and octane enhancer. Its gasoline blending properties are sup erior to methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and its semirenewability is a ttracting subsidies from many governments. Synthesis of ETBE via react ive distillation offers advantages of higher conversion, improved ener gy efficiency, and lower capital costs. A dynamic simulation, based on the MESH equations with supplementary equations to model the main che mical reaction, was developed using SpeedUp. The simulations were then utilized for the study of transient open-loop responses and for contr ol system design. The control of a reactive distillation column presen ts several difficulties not normally associated with distillation, and dynamic simulation proved to be the ideal tool for the study and reso lution of these problems. Some general recommendations for the control of reactive ETBE columns are made, including the need to address cont rol issues early in the design process to recognize implications on pr ocess equipment design.