Patent ID: 6191175
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for the production of a DME/methanol product mixture rich in DME from a make-up stream of an essentially stoichiometrically balanced synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 /CO/CO.sub.2, comprising the process steps of:(a) splitting a bypass stream from the synthesis gas stream prior to passing the synthesis gas stream through a cooled reactor containing a catalyst active in methanol formation from synthesis gas, forming an effluent stream enriched in methanol and admixing with the said bypass stream;(b) bringing the admixed stream from step (a) in contact with a catalyst active in methanol formation or active in both methanol formation and dehydration of methanol, forming a synthesis gas stream further enriched in methanol or DME;(c) bringing the gas stream further enriched in methanol or DME from step (b) in contact with a catalyst active in dehydration of methanol, forming a synthesis gas stream further enriched in DME;(d) withdrawing the synthesis gas stream enriched in DME from step (c) and separating the stream into a DME/methanol product mixture rich in DME and a synthesis gas containing stream; and(e) recycling a portion of the synthesis gas containing stream to the make-up stream of synthesis gas, forming the synthesis gas stream of step (a).