Intrinsic kinetics of MTBE synthesis from methanol and isobutene using a synthesised MFI type zeolite Original Research Article

The intrinsic kinetics of the reaction of methanol with isobutene, catalysed by a synthesised MFI type zeolite ZCIC-10, was studied in a batch reactor operating in the range 15–20 bar and 70–100°C. Intraparticle and interparticle mass transfer effects were eliminated by judicious choice of catalyst particle size and conditions of fluid agitation. Orders of reaction with respect to the reactants and principal product methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) were determined for the range of temperature and pressure studied and curve fitting techniques were applied to the experimental concentration–time data obtained. Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics in which the surface reaction is rate determining is the most satisfactory fit to the data. The activation energy for the reaction was found to be 140.8 kJ mol−1.