Abstract: An improved process for reacting crude aqueous methanol feedstock with tertiary-olefinic hydrocarbons to produce C.sub.5.sup.+ methyl tertiary-alkyl ethers, which comprises: contacting the aqueous methanol feedstock with a liquid hydrocarbon extractant rich in C.sub.4.sup.+ isoalkylene under liquid extraction conditions; recovering an organic extract phase comprising the hydrocarbon extractant and a major amount of methanol introduced in the feedstock; reacting the extracted methanol and C.sub.4.sup.+ isoalkene in contact with an acid etherification catalyst under catalytic reaction conditions to produce ether product; separating ether product from unreacted methanol and olefin; recovering an aqueous methanol raffinate phase containing the major amount of water introduced with the feedstock and a minor amount of feedstock methanol; and converting methanol from the aqueous raffinate phase concurrently with unreacted methanol and olefin from etherification effluent separation to produce hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An integrated once through process for the production of ether-rich liquid fuels containing MTBE and TAME by etherifying a hydrocarbon feedstock containing C.sub.4 + isoalkenes in the presence of a high stoichiometric excess of lower alkyl alcohol. Unreacted alcohol and olefins are passes to a zeolite catalyzed conversion reactor under olefinic and oxygenates conversion condition whereby gasoline and light hydrocarbons are produced.

Abstract: An improved process for reacting crude aqueous methanol feedstock with iso-olefinic hydrocarbons to produce C.sub.5.sup.+ methyl tertiary-alkly ethers, which comprises: contacting the aqueous methanol feedstock with a liquid hydrocarbon extractant rich in C.sub.4.sup.+ iso-alkene under liquid extraction conditons; recovering an organic extract phase comprising the hydrocarbon extractant and a major amount of methanol introduced in the feedstock; reacting the extracted methanol and C.sub.4.sup.+ isoalkene in contact with an acid etherification catalyst under catalytic reaction conditions to produce ether product; recovering an aqueous methanol raffinate phase containing the major amount of water introduced with the feedstock and a minor amount of feedstock methanol; and converting methanol from the aqueous raffinate phase to produce hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An improved etherification process is described for the manufacture of methyl tertiary alkyl ethers such as methyl tertiary butyl ether and methyl tertiary amyl ether. In one embodiment etherification is conducted in the presence of a large excess of methanol wherein unreacted methanol is separated in a fractionator utilizing a light hydrocarbon stripping gas to separate the methanol-hydrocarbon azeotrope. In another embodiment unreacted methanol from the etherification reaction is removed by water washing. The aqueous mixture containing unreacted methanol is separated in a stripping zone employing fuel gas as a stripping media.

Abstract: A multistep hydrocarbon conversion process for the production of ethers including methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from light paraffins and alcohols is disclosed. A mixture of C.sub.4 isoparaffins, normal paraffins, an etherification recycle and butane isomerization effluent enter a deisobutanizer column. Normal paraffins withdrawn from the fractionator are isomerized and returned to the fractionator, and isoparaffins are withdrawn from the fractionator and dehydrogenated. The resulting olefins enter an etherification zone for reaction of isobutene with a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohol. Unreacted paraffins and olefins comprise a portion of the etherification effluent entering the deisobutanizer. After separation for recovery of the ether product, unreacted paraffins and olefins are passed through a dehydrogenation zone for saturation of the olefins and then returned to the deisobutanizer column. Normal butanes are withdrawn as a sidecut from the deisobutanizer.

Abstract: Low concentrations of methanol and dimethyl ether in distillation column C.sub.4 -C.sub.5 raffinate produced in the formation of methyl tert.-alkyl ethers by the reaction of methanol with isoalkylenes are effectively removed from the residual C.sub.4 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbons by adsorption on a dual or compound adsorption bed containing silica gel as the methanol adsorbent and zeolite 13X as the dimethyl ether adsorbent.

Abstract: A process for the production of ethers from an olefin containing feedstock. The process includes two-stages for the production of ethers which comprises, in a first stage, isomerizing an olefin containing feedstock over a thermally stable layered metal oxide type catalyst having interspathic polymeric silica between the layers so as to produce iso-olefins and then, in a second stage, reacting the resultant iso-olefins with alcohols in the presence of an etherification catalyst so as to produce ethers from the iso-olegins.

Abstract: For the preparation of an ether, e.g., tertiary amyl methyl ether, an olefin-containing feed stream is catalytically etherified with an alcohol, e.g., methyl alcohol. The etherification product is fractionally distilled into an overhead fraction containing essentially unreacted, light hydrocarbons and unreacted alcohol and into a bottoms fraction containing essentially the desired ether. The overhead fraction is condensed and cooled to resultant immiscible phases, of which one contains essentially the alcohol and the other contains essentially the hydrocarbons, are removed separately from each other. Water may be added to the overhead stream to facilitate the formation of the two liquid phases.

Abstract: A combined process for the dehydrogenation of C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 paraffins in a first zone and the conversion of olefins in a second zone improves efficiency by directly charging all but the lightest components of the dehydrogenation zone effluent to the olefin conversion zone. This process is particularly suited for the production of gasoline boiling range ethers where an isoparaffin is dehydrogenated in a first zone to produce isoolefins. After separation of hydrogen and methane, the dehydrogenation zone effluent is charged along with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alcohol to an etherification zone for the production of ether. The etherification zone effluent is separated into at least two component streams one comprising light ends, isoparaffins, and oxygenates and the other comprising an ether product. After passage through an alcohol recovery zone, the isoparaffins are separated from the other lighter recycled material and combined with the feed to dehydrogenation zone.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of butene-1 from a mixed C.sub.4 feed stream which also contains isobutylene, butene-2, isobutane and normal butane. The C.sub.4 feed stream is passed through an etherification reaction zone wherein isobutylene is selectively converted to an ether. The effluent of the etherification reaction zone is fractionated to produce a first stream comprising the product ether and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons and a second stream comprising isobutane and butene-1. The second stream is then separated to yield the butene-1. The first stream is preferably utilized in motor fuel production as by direct blending into a naphtha boiling material or by passage into an alkylation zone.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of methyl ethers of the type in which methanol is reacted with a branched monoolefin in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of one or more acid catalyst, said improvements comprising carrying out said reaction in one or two steps in the presence of one or more liquid organic compounds having one or more hydroxy substituents which functions as a carrier for the branched monoolefins. The hydroxy compound also inhibits the polymerization of the branched monoolefins.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for separating alcohols from ethers and/or hydrocarbon raffinate in an etherification process. The excess alcohol reactant, which forms azeotrope mixtures with the product ethers and C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 raffinate, is removed by passing the liquid azeotrope mixture over a pervaporation membrane which effectively breaks the azeotrope and permeates the alcohol with high flux and high selectivity. In a typical etherification process, one or more pervaporation membrane units can be located ahead of the ether/raffinate distillation step, in conjunction with the distillation step with a liquid side draw, after the distillation step, or a combination of any of the above. The present invention also provides an improved process for separating alcohols from ethers and/or hydrocarbon raffinate in an ether decomposition process for the production of high purity iso-alkene products.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of alkyl tertiary-alkyl ether concurrent with the alkylation of isoparaffins with olefins. The composite zeolite catalyst is reactivated in the alkyl tertiary-alkyl ether synthesis reactor.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the simultaneous alkylation of light hydrocarbons to produce gasoline blending components and the etherification of an isoolefin to produce an ether. The etherification zone effluent stream contains normal olefins and isoparaffins consumed in an acid-catalyzed alkylation zone. The etherification zone effluent stream is separated in a fractionation column in a manner which provides a small amount of ether in the hydrocarbon-rich overhead stream. The presence of the ether in the acid-catalyst is beneficial to the alkylation reaction by providing a higher octane number product.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for partial oxidation of hydrocarbonaceous gases, wherein a hydrocarbonaceous gas is preheated, reacted with oxygen, and quenched by means of a rotating matrix comprising glassy ceramic fibers. Such a rotating matrix may be constructed and compartmented by a method and apparatus which utilizes the inherent tensile strength properties of the fibers to provide strength to the compartment walls. Such partial oxidation method and apparatus is especially useful in a direct, integrated process for the production of tert-butyl ethers, wherein the product of partially oxidizing methane and isobutane are caused to be methanol and isobutylene, which intermediates are directly recovered and combined to form methyl tert-butyl ether by method and apparatus of the invention. Furthermore, by-products of such partial oxidation may also be converted to useful tert-butyl ethers.

Abstract: A multistep hydrocarbon conversion process for the production of ethers including methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from light paraffins and alcohols is disclosed. A mixture of C.sub.4 isoparaffins, normal paraffins, an etherification recycle and butane isomerization effluent enter a deisobutanizer column. Normal paraffins withdrawn from the fractionator are isomerized and returned to the fractionator, and isoparaffins are withdrawn from the fractionator and dehyrogenated. The resulting olefins enter an etherification zone for reaction of isobutene with a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohol. Unreacted paraffins and olefins comprise the etherification effluent entering the deisobutanizer. Normal butanes and olefins are withdrawn as a sidecut from the deisobutanizer. Hydrogenation of the sidecut saturates any olefins contained therein which would interfere with the isomerization of normal butanes.

Abstract: A process for preparing an acetal or a ketal comprises contacting an olefin with an alcohol at elevated temperature in the presence of a dihydrocarbyl peroxide and a catalyst comprising palladium and a copper compound. The process is preferably carried out in the presence of an amine which is unable to coordinate to the catalyst.

Abstract: An adsorbent is used to recover methanol in unreacted C.sub.4 's from the MTBE process. Methanol is desorbed from the mixture in a closed loop regeneration system utilizing a circulating vapor at an elevated temperature. Gas from the adsorber is cooled to condense methanol which may be recycled to the MTBE reaction. Unreacted C.sub.4 's substantially free from methanol may be used in HF or sulfuric acid alkylation.

Abstract: In the process for preparing methyl tert.-alkyl ether comprising the steps of (a) contacting and reacting in the liquid phase a reaction mixture formed by combining a stream consisting essentially of C.sub.4 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbons and containing at least some proportion of isoalkylene and a stoichiometric excess of methanol, with respect to the isoalkylene, to form a reaction product comprising methyl tert.-alkyl ether, unreacted methanol and unreacted C.sub.4 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbons; (b) isolating the methyl tert.-alkyl ether from the reaction product; and (c) recovering the unreacted methanol from the residual portion of the reaction product; the improvement which comprises selectively adsorbing the methanol constituent of said residual reaction product in a bed of crystalline molecular sieve adsorbent and recovering same by desorption using as a purge-desorption stream, the C.sub.4 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbon stream used to prepare the initial reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process of removing methanol from a mixed stream comprising methanol and at least one hydrocarbon and utilizing the hydrocarbon as feed for an acid catalyzed alkylation unit which produces a spent acid stream is provided. The process is comprised of the steps of contacting the mixed stream with at least a portion of the alkylation unit spent acid stream whereby the methanol is reacted therewith and an aqueous reaction mixture is formed, separating the aqueous reaction mixture from the hydrocarbon and conducting the hydrocarbon to the alkylation unit.

Abstract: A process for producing a gasoline blending stock of methyl tertiary butyl ether and tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a first catalytic etherification of isobutene and methanol produces methyl tertiary butyl ether and unreacted methanol. The etherification product including isobutene and remaining methanol is reacted with water and fresh isobutene in a second catalytic reaction where both etherification and hydration occur. This essentially exhausts the methanol while the hydration reaction to tertiary butyl alcohol prevents undesired side reactions.

Abstract: A process for the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether comprising dimerizing ethylene to form a first butene-containing material; isomerizing the first butene-containing material to produce a second butene-containing material including an increased amount of isobutene relative to the first butene-containing material; and contacting at least a portion of the second butene-containing material with methanol at etherification conditions to produce an affluent enriched in methyl, tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: A catalytic process is provided for the manufacture of ethers by reacting a linear monoolefin with a primary or secondary alcohol having up to 4 carbon atoms. The process selectively forms methyl isopropyl ether from a propylene feed and methanol by contact with a zeolite such as Zeolite Beta or ZSM-5, or by contact with a macroreticular sulfonated ion-exchange resin.

Abstract: In a process for separating C.sup.4 to C.sup.7 tertiary mono-olefins(s) present in a C.sup.4 to C.sup.7 hydrocarbon mixture containing diolefins which comprises selectively reacting said tertiary mono-olefin mixture with a primary alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to convert it to tertiary ether(s), separating the tertiary ether(s) from the unreacted hydrocarbon mixture and containing said tertiary ether(s) in the presence of a catalyst to decompose it to tertiary olefin(s) and a primary alcohol, the improvement which comprises hydrogenating the tertiary ether(s) after it has been separated from the unreacted hydrocarbon mixture and prior to decomposition to saturate the unsaturated ether(s) formed from the diolefins present in the hydrocarbon mixture.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of methyl ethers of the type in which methanol is reacted with a branched monoolefin in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of one or more acid catalyst, said improvements comprising carrying out said reaction in one or two steps in the presence of one or more liquid organic compounds having one or more hydroxy substituents which functions as a carrier for the branched monoolefins. The hydroxy compound also inhibits the polymerization of the branched monoolefins.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the catalytic dehydrogenation of propane or butanes. The vapor phase reaction zone effluent stream is contacted with a heavy absorption liquid and then with a light absorption liquid. The light absorption liquid is composed of hydrocarbons recovered from the reaction zone effluent stream. This secondary contacting removes components of the heavy absorption liquid from the recycle gas, thus eliminating the deleterious effects of these compounds on the dehydrogenation catalyst. The heavy absorption liquid may be produced within the process by a catalytic olefin-consuming reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for producing methyl tertiary butyl ether is disclosed, comprising reacting isobutylene and methanol using a hydrocarbon mixture of 4 carbon atoms containing isobutylene and methanol as starting materials in a reaction zone containing an acidic ion exchange resin and distilling the resulting reaction mixture in a distillation column connected to the reaction zone to separate methyl tertiary butyl ether from the unreacted hydrocarbon mixture of 4 carbon atoms, wherein a mixture of the hydrocarbon mixture of 4 carbon atoms as a distillate from a top of the distillation column and methanol as a distillate by azeotropy is contacted with water in a second extraction step to wash and extract methanol with water, and the water containing the extracted methanol is then contacted with said hdyrocarbon mixture of 4 carbon atoms containing isobutylene which is fed to the reaction zone in a first extraction step in an upstream of the reaction zone to thereby transfer a part or a large portion of the methanol in

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for upgrading olefinic gasolines containing C.sub.5 hydrocarbons, but free of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, by etherification. It is characterized in that the tertiary olefins of the charge are reacted (1 and 2) with methanol; the reaction effluent being then extracted (3) with water, in order to separate an aqueous phase containing the major part of the unreacted methanol from a hydrocarbon phase containing the major part of the formed ethers. The aqueous phase is then introduced in a distillation zone (4) where water is separated from methanol and recycled to the extraction zone (3), whereas methanol is recycled to the etherification zone (1 and 2).

Abstract: Process for producing a hydrocarbon cut of high octane number by etherification of an olefin-containing hydrocarbon cut.The olefinic cut, to which methanol is added, passes into an etherification reactor (1) wherefrom are separated (3) a bottom product (15) containing ethers, and a top product (14) containing residual methanol and unreacted light olefins. This top product passes into an etherification reactor (2) and then is washed with water (8).The top product is finally admixed with the bottom product.The so-obtained motor-fuel has a higher octane number than that of the initial hydrocarbon cut.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of alkyl tert-alkyl ethers which comprises reacting a primary alcohol with an olefin having a double bond on a tertiary carbon atom in the presence of an acidic zeolite catalyst. Removal of any excess alcohol from the reaction product is accomplished by passing the reaction product through a bed of small pore zeolite.

Abstract: A process for separating dimethyl ether from a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with an aqueous solution containing a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having a polarity of about 1.4 to about 2.0 Debyes.

Abstract: A method for promoting the activity and/or extending the life of a cation-exchangeable layered clay catalyst in reactions susceptible to catalysis by protons which method comprises the addition to the catalyst of water as the sole additive. The quantity of water employed is suitably up to 40%, preferably up to 10% based on weight of reactants. The layered clay catalyst can be for example montmorillonite, bentonite or vermiculite. Suitable proton catalyzed reactions include formation of esters, (e.g. by reaction of olefin and carboxylic acid), ethers, aldehydes, thioethers and alkylation and cracking reactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hydrogen ion-exchanged layered clays in organic reactions which are catalyzed by protons. Such organic reactions include the production of ethers by the reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of an ether by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of an alkyl aromatic compound by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and the production of an alcohol by the hydration of an olefin.

Abstract: A process to form an ether comprises contacting an alkene and an alcohol under conversion conditions with an AMS-1B borosilicate catalyst composition.

Abstract: In a combination alkylation-methyltertiary butyl ether (MTBE) operation, the unreacted C.sub.4 olefinic hydrocarbons produced by etherification are contacted with molecular sieves to absorb 2-butenes and the 1-butenes remaining in the stream are divided so that one portion is subjected to double bond isomerization to form 2-butenes for alkylation and another portion is subjected skeletal isomerization to form isobutene for etherification.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for regenerating adsorbents used in an integrated process for the production of ethers such as methyl tertiary butyl ether by the reaction of an alcohol with an isoolefin. The sorbents are used to remove such compounds as the product ether and the feed alcohol from a hydrocarbon-rich stream withdrawn from the etherification zone. The regeneration procedure includes contacting the sorbent with a heated portion of the treated hydrocarbon stream. The resultant contaminated hydrocarbon stream is passed into a stripping column used to remove light ends from the effluent of a dehydrogenation zone in which the isoolefin fed to the etherification zone is produced. The hydrocarbonaceous compounds collected on the sorbent are thus recycled rather than being destroyed or lost in low purity effluent streams.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for regenerating adsorbents used in an integrated process for the production of ethers such as methyl tertiary butyl ether by the reaction of an alcohol with an isoolefin. The sorbents are used to remove oxygenated compounds such as the product ether and the feed alcohol from a hydrocarbon-rich stream withdrawn from the etherification zone. The regeneration procedure includes contacting the sorbent with a heated hydrocarbon stream. The resultant contaminated hydrocarbon stream is passed into a stripping column used to remove light ends from the effluent of a dehydrogenation zone in which the isoolefin fed to the etherification zone is produced. The oxygenated compounds collected on the sorbent are thus selectively recycled or rejected rather than being destroyed or lost in low purity effluent streams.

Abstract: Propylene contained in mixed C.sub.3 /C.sub.4 streams containing at least 5 wt. % isobutene, for example, catalytic cracker offgas, may be recovered as a useful gasoline component by reacting in the presence of methanol to etherify and oligomerize the propylene in liquid phase at 80.degree. to 130.degree. C. at LHSV 2 to 5 in the presence of an acidic cation exchange resin whereby the product contains oligomers which are primary C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 mono olefins, methyl isopropyl ether, methyl tertiary butyl ether and unreacted material, by maintaining a residual of methanol in the product stream of 0.03 to 0.9 wt. % based on the product stream.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in two stages:the first stage comprising the reaction of isobutene with methanol in the presence of an acid catalyst, yielding MTBE, while the second stage comprises firstly the conversion of normal-butenes present in the hydrocarbon flow, which remains behind after separation of the MTBE formed in the first stage into isobutene and secondly passing the mixture thus obtained to a reaction zone to form MTBE.Optionally an extra amount of methanol can be supplied to said reaction zone. Said reaction zone can be the same as that used in the same first stage or another one.

Abstract: Methyl t-butyl ether and methyl t-amyl ether are produced by reacting methanol with isobutene and isoamylene, respectively, at a total methanol/isoolefine mole ratio of 1-1.2:1 in a series of reaction stages such that in the first reaction stage, the total amount of olefin component is reacted with as much methanol as is required to ensure that the methanol/isoolefine mole ratio in the first reaction stage does not drop to less than 0.65:1, and that the methanol concentration in the effluent stream does not exceed 0.4% wt. The residual amount of methanol is then fed either all at once to another reaction stage, or in portions to several additional reaction stages.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of methyl t-butyl ether in which: a hydrocarbon feedstock is cracked to give an ethylene-rich stream; an isobutane-rich stream is separated from C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon stream; the ethylene-rich stream and the isobutane-rich stream are contacted over a transhydrogenation catalyst to give a mixture comprising ethane and isobutene; the isobutene is reacted with methanol to give methyl t-butyl ether; and the residual C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon stream is recycled either to the C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon stream or to the cracker and the ethane is recycled to the cracker.It has been found that combining and interconnecting a hydrocarbon cracker, a transhydrogenation reactor and an etherification reactor results in an integrated, economic process for the production of methyl t-butyl ether.

Abstract: In a combination alkylation-methyltertiary butyl ether (MTBE) operation, isobutane vapor side-draw and bottoms product yield from the alkylation fractionation, respectively, are used to indirectly heat the mid-section and reboil section of the methyltertiary butyl ether fractionator for heat conservation, beneficiating both the alkylation operation and the MTBE operation.

Abstract: The reaction product from etherification of C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 isoolefins with methanol in the presence of an acidic catalyst is washed with water in the presence of inert hydrocarbons thereby removing methanol and a part of the tertiary alcohol. The aqueous extract solution bottoms is distilled to separate methanol as overhead. Tertiary alcohols are withdrawn as a side stream from a tray of the distillation column with a high concentration thereof and fed into the washing column.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for performing an exothermic reaction such as the etherification of isobutylene with methanol. The feed is charged to a vertical reaction zone containing a solid catalyst. Heat released by the exothermic reaction partially vaporizes the reactants, with the vapors traveling upward to a condensing zone. All of the condensable vapors entering the condensing zone are condensed and returned downward to the catalyst bed. A single effluent stream made up of the product, excess reactants and any unreactive compounds present in the feed streams is removed from the bottom of the reaction zone. This total reflux reaction zone allows temperature control within a catalyst bed without the use of indirect heat exchangers located within the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method for producing fuel comprised of gasoline rich in methanol and methyl ethers derived from coal, which process comprises gasifying the coal to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen, steam shifting the gasification product to produce additional hydrogen, cleaning up the shifted product, catalytically converting the cleaned shifted gas to a mixture of alcohols, separating a methanol fraction from the mixture of alcohols, dehydrating the remaining alcohols to olefins, etherifying the olefin mixture with a portion of the removed methanol fraction, and blending into gasoline the resulting ether mixture and a second portion of the removed methanol fraction.

Abstract: Tert.butyl alkyl ethers are produced from a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feedstock containing isobutene, and the butene-1 is recovered at high purity by extractive distillation of the isobutene-free C.sub.4 hydrocarbon stream in the presence of a solvent chosen from acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, methanol, n-methylpyrrolidone, formylmorpholine and furfural.After removing the solvent, the extract is rectified, and the butene-1 separates as overhead product of high purity.

Abstract: Transetherification is carried out in a catalytic distillation reactor, wherein the catalytic structure also serves as a distillation structure, by feeding a first ether to the catalyst bed to at least partially dissociate it into a first olefin and a first alcohol while concurrently therewith feeding either a second olefin (preferably a tertiary olefin) having a higher boiling point than said first olefin or a second alcohol having a higher boiling point than said first alcohol to the catalyst whereby either the second olefin and the first alcohol or the first olefin and the second alcohol react to form a second ether which has a higher boiling point than the first ether, which second ether is concurrently removed as a bottoms in the concurrent reaction-distillation to force that reaction to completion, while the unreacted first olefin or first alcohol is removed in the overhead.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of pure alkyl tertiary alkyl ethers and hydrocarbon raffinates which are substantially free from tertiary olefins and alkanols. An alkanol and a hydrocarbon mixture containing at least one tertiary olefin are contacted with the alkanol being present in a stoichiometric excess. The reaction product is removed from the reaction zone and excess alkanol in the reaction product or a partial stream thereof is absorbed on a synthetic ion exchanger containing groups which exchange cations or anions or mixtures of such ion exchangers. After absorption of at least a portion of the alkanol on the synthetic ion exchanger, the alkanol is desorbed by contacting the same with a hydrocarbon mixture containing at least one tertiary olefin.

Abstract: A method for producing tertiary ethers from C.sub.4 or C.sub.5 streams containing isobutene and isoamylene respectively in a process wherein a acidic cation exchange resin is used as the catalyst and as a distillation structure in a distillation reactor column, wherein the improvement is the operation of the catalytic distillation in two zones at different pressures, the first zone containing the catalyst packing and operated a higher pressure in the range of 100 to 200 psig in the case of C.sub.4 's and 15 to 100 psig in the case of C.sub.5 's which favors the etherification reaction and the second zone being a distillation operated at a lower pressure in the range of 0 to 100 psig in the case of C.sub.4 's and 0 to 15 psig in the case of C.sub.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of aliphatic ethers by reacting the corresponding alcohol and/or olefin over a superacid catalyst.