SIMULATION OF M.TBE (METHYL TERT.BUTYL ETHER) SYNTHESIS IN A TUBULAR REACTOR PACKED WITH ION EXCHANGE RESINS

Abstract

The study of behavior of tubular reactors using ion-exchange resins as catalyst is carried out by making use of a complete two-dimensional heterogeneous model for the reactor, which included the resistance inside the ion-exchange resin particle, considered with a macroreticular structure. The active sites were located inside the gel phase of the resin, represented by microspheres and on the macropores walls. The overall efficiency was defined by two factors one is macro-effectiveness and other is micro-effectiveness. The simulation of methyl tert-butyl ether, MTBE, a liquid phase reversible reaction that is highly exothermic reaction between methanol and iso-butene, was taken into consideration. Heterogeneous model is developed for the synthesis of MTBE in tubular reactor packed with ion-exchange resin, Amberlyst 15. Different model parameters have taken into consideration. Comparison between pseudo homogeneous and heterogeneous model is also done. Effect of wall temperature on axial concentration and axial temperature is also taken into consideration.