Intrinsic kinetics of MTBE synthesis from methanol and isobutene using a synthesised MFI type zeolite

The intrinsic kinetics of the reaction of methanol with isobutene, catalyse d by a synthesised MFI type zeolite ZCIC-10, was studied in a batch reactor operating in the range 15-20 bar and 70-100 degrees C. Intraparticle and i nterparticle mass transfer effects were eliminated by judicious choice of c atalyst particle size and conditions of fluid agitation. Orders of reaction with respect to the reactants and principal product methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) were determined for the range of temperature and pressure stud ied and curve fitting techniques were applied to the experimental concentra tion-time data obtained. Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics in which the surface reaction is rate determining is the most satisfactory fit to the data. The activation energy for the reaction was found to be 140.8 kJ mol(-1). (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.