Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing lower dialkyl carbonates as main product and alkylene glycol as by-product by catalyzed transesterification of a cyclic alkylene carbonate (e.g. ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate) with lower alcohols, where the reaction of the alkylene carbonate is carried out with an alcohol containing dialkyl carbonate in countercurrent, characterized in that introduction of a stream containing at least 99.5% by weight of alcohol takes place below the point of introduction for the alcohol containing dialkyl carbonate in a particular spacing ratio between the abovementioned points of introduction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer reactor of the rotor-stator type. This mixer reactor comprises a substantially rotationally symmetric housing which has a distributing chamber, a mixing chamber, a front plate that modifies the cross-section of the housing between these two chambers, and there are separate inlets into the mixing chamber for at least two substances and an outlet for removing the mixed material or product. The inlet for the first substance is provided in the axis of rotation of the mixing chamber. Two or more channels are aligned radially outward from this inlet, and the first substance is transported through these channels and into the mixing chamber. The inlet for the at least second substance is constructed in the form of a plurality of openings in the front plate, these inlet openings being are arranged rotationally symmetrically to the axis of rotation. Each of these inlet openings for the at least second substance has a corresponding pin which can be displaced in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing lower dialkyl carbonates as main product and alkylene glycol as by-product by catalyzed transesterification of a cyclic alkylene carbonate (e.g. ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate) with lower alcohols, where the reaction of the alkylene carbonate is carried out with an alcohol containing dialkyl carbonate in countercurrent, characterized in that introduction of a stream containing at least 99.5% by weight of alcohol takes place below the point of introduction for the alcohol containing dialkyl carbonate in a particular spacing ratio between the abovementioned points of introduction.