| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for preparing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and a virtually isobutene-free C4-hydrocarbon mixture by reaction of an isobutene-containing C4-hydrocarbon stream with methanol over an acid catalyst, wherein, in a first stage in one or more reactor(s), isobutene is reacted with methanol to equilibrium formation of MTBE and, in a second stage in a reactive distillation column, the remaining isobutene present in the mixture is reacted over an acid catalyst, where the reactive distillation column is operated in a pressure range from 3 to 15 bar abs. and in a temperature range in the reaction zone from 55°C to 75°C at a hydraulic loading in the catalytic packing of from 10% to 110% and a reflux ratio of less than 1. |