In this paper the production of MTBE from isobutene and methanol via reactive cyclic distillation is studied with a mass and energy balance stage model. This study shows the first application of a reactive cyclic distillation stage model, where reaction equilibrium is assumed. A cyclic distillation process with a column design equivalent to a conventional column for MTBE reactive distillation has been simulated. The cyclic operated column gives high conversions of reactants, high product throughput and low energy requirements. By investigating the reactive stage behaviour it was found that the periodic operation can give an overall higher degree of separation and production of MTBE compared to the conventional column design. This is due to higher degree of separation in the cyclic operation, which favours the desired reaction. With no back-mixing of the liquid holdups the overall mass transfer and conversion in a reactive cyclic distillation process is increased compared to that of a conventional reactive separation scheme. Thereby, an improved cyclic operated column design with reduced number of stages was realised.

在本文中，使用质量和能量平衡阶段模型研究了通过反应循环蒸馏从异丁烯和甲醇生产 MTBE。该研究展示了反应性循环蒸馏阶段模型的首次应用，其中假设反应平衡。已经模拟了具有与传统 MTBE 反应蒸馏塔等效的塔设计的循环蒸馏过程。循环操作的塔提供了高反应物转化率、高产品吞吐量和低能量需求。通过研究反应阶段的行为，发现与传统的塔设计相比，周期性操作可以提供更高程度的 MTBE 分离和生产。这是由于循环操作中更高的分离度，这有利于所需的反应。由于没有液体滞留物的返混，与常规反应分离方案相比，反应循环蒸馏过程中的整体传质和转化率增加。因此，实现了具有减少的级数的改进的循环操作塔设计。