Synthesis of MTBE in zeolite membrane reactors

A zeolite membrane was employed to selectively remove water from the reacti on atmosphere during the gas-phase synthesis of methyl-tert-butyl ether (MT BE) from tert-butanol and methanol. This reaction was carried out over a be d of Amberlyst(TM) 15 catalyst packed on the inside of a zeolite tubular me mbrane. The results obtained with different hydrophilic membranes (mordenit e or NaA zeolite) are presented. Prior to reaction, the zeolite membranes w ere characterized by measuring their performance in the separation of the e quilibrium mixture containing water, methanol, tert-butanol, MTBE and isobu tene. The results obtained with zeolite membrane reactors (ZMR) were compar ed with those of a fixed bed reactor (FBR) under the same operating conditi ons. MTBE yields obtained with the ZMR at 334 K reached 67.6%, under condit ions where the equilibrium value without product removal (FBR) would be 60. 9%. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.