The process includes alcohol purification, hydrocarbon purification and a main reaction that uses acid resins. The reactants are converted at temperatures lower than 90 oC and pressures lower than 2 MPa. Then, the main effluents are purified for further applications or recycle.

The reactor column uses CATACOL technology that combines catalysis (in a well-controlled liquid phase) and distillation in separated sections.

1.1. Phillips Etherification process (by Philips Petroleum Co.)

This process uses olefins (i. e. isoamylene and IB) to react with EtOH or MeOH over acidic ion-exchange resin. Mixed olefins from a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) or steam cracker, along with fresh alcohol are fed to the reactor section. The reactor operation is liq­uid phase at mild temperature and pressure.

In case of MTBE, high purity MTBE is removed as a bottom product from the fractionator and all the unreacted MeOH is taken overhead. The overhead product is then stripped of MeOH in an extractor using H2O. The extract is sent to the fractionator, while the denuded H2O are returned to the MeOH extractor.