Simulation of Methoxy methyl heptane (MMH) production using unisim design R460.1

Abstract

Various fuel additives are employed till now like ethanol, ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE), MTBE, Di Isopropyl alcohol (DIPA) etc. after the phase-out of lead-based compounds to enhance the octane number of fuel. MMH is suggested as an alternative to methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and similar ethers since they causes groundwater contamination. The liquid phase reversible reaction of methanol (MHOH) with 2-methyl1-heptene (MH) produces MMH. But there is an undesirable reaction also to form Dimethyl ether (DME) and 2-methyl-2-heptanol (MHOH). The process of MMH production is simulated using Unisim Design software R460.1. Conventionally, MMH is produced through a reactor and three distillation column sequences for yielding high purity MMH. This reactor-column sequence requires either high MH recycle or large-sized reactor to have the desired yield. Both results in large capital and operating costs. A reactive distillation concept can tackle these constraints with reactor and distillation in a single column known as reactive distillation column (RDC).The feasibility of RDC and analysis of the process can be observed using Unisim Design software since pilot plants are costly for this type of RD process. The simulation of the process using different test bed Unisim R460.1 is not explored yet.