Experimental and Simulation Studies of TAME Synthesis in a Fixed-Bed Reactor

Abstract

Experimental data of TAME synthesis in a fixed-bed reactor were obtained in an experimental setup with a laboratory-scale jacketed column packed with a macroreticular strong cation ion-exchange resin in hydrogen form (Amberlyst 15 Wet, Rohm & Haas) as catalyst. Two kinds of experiments were performed: TAME synthesis (etherification + isomerization) and only isomerization between the isoamylenes. The experiments were carried out in the temperature range 313-353 K, at 12-13 bar. A mathematical model that uses a Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic law previously obtained and that, for the description of the behavior of the fixed-bed reactor, considers plug flow with axial dispersion, assumes negligible mass transfer resistances and, in the adsorbed phase, considers significant only the accumulation of methanol, with the adsorption equilibrium described by a Langmuir isotherm, written in terms of activities, was developed. The experimental results, even when involving only the isomerization between the isoamylenes, are reasonably well-simulated by the model developed.

Solketal Production in a Fixed Bed Adsorptive Reactor through the Ketalization of Glycerol

“…In the present work, the synthesis of solketal in a fixed bed adsorptive reactor was studied to evaluate the possibility of exploiting the synergetic effects arising from the combination of chromatographic separation with chemical reaction. The advantages reported for sorption-enhanced reactive processes for the synthesis of acetals, − esters, − and ethers, among other organic compounds, will be similar to those attained when applying this technology to the ketalization of glycerol with acetone to produce this ketal. As suggested earlier, the selection of adequate stationary and mobile phases is a critical factor governing the performance of the process.…”

Sorption enhanced reactive process for the synthesis of glycerol ethyl acetal

“…(12). Hence, the monolayer capacity and the adsorption equilibrium constant of each compound must be estimated.…”

“…Common applications of this sorption enhanced reactive process include esterifications [10][11][12][13], ester hydrolysis [14,15], etherifications [16] and acetalisations [17][18][19][20]. In most of the aforementioned works, advantage is taken from the sorption and catalytic properties of ion exchange resins.…”

Simulation and process integration for tert-amyl-methyl ether (TAME) synthesis

“…Consequently, each case study has the same reaction section, but different separation section topologies (Turton et al, 2014). Reaction section consists of a series of two adiabatic reactors with intermediate cooling, for a higher final conversion of reactants (Ferreira et al, 2007). The role of separation section is to obtain acceptable purity of main components: TAME, MeOH and hydrocarbons (unreacted gasoline).…”