| Abstract: | The kinetics of liquid catalytic dehydration of methanol over an ion exchange resin (Amberlyst 35) has been determined for the temperature range 343 to 403 K using a batch reactor. The experimental data are described well by an Eley‐Rideal type kinetic expression, for which the surface reaction is the rate‐determining step. A catalytic distillation process for methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME) has been modeled using the experimentally determined kinetic data. The results were incorporated into the rate‐controlled reaction mode for RadFrac, a part of the commercial simulation program Aspen Plus. It was shown that synthesis of high purity DME can be achieved using a single catalytic distillation column. Thus there is significant potential for reduction of overall capital cost for a plant for methanol dehydration to DME when compared to conventional production facilities that involve separate reaction and distillation processes. |
