Abstract: The main process flow of 0.4Mt/alight gasoline etherificationunitwas systematically simulated and calculated by usingsteady-state process simulationsoftware PRO/II, andthe thermodynamic method selection of software modeling, the module selection of important equipment, the process modeling process and its main settings were introduced. The resultsof model validationindicatedthat the constructed model had high accuracy and applicability.In order to achieve the maximum conversion rate of active olefins andensure the quality of C₅ components, the methanol injection amountand reflux ratio in the etherification fractionation column were determined by the established model, and the parameters ofextractionwater,water content in the circulating methanol and the methanol contentin the extraction waterof methanol recovery unit were optimized. The methanol injection amount of the etherification fractionation column was controlled at 8.8% of the feed methanol amount, the reflux ratio of the etherification fractionation columnshouldbe controlled at 2.0,the extraction water amountwas controlled at 10-11t/h,and the mass fraction of methanolin the extraction water andwater in the circulating methanol was controlled 0.04% and 0.016%, respectively.

Key words: light gasoline etherification, process simulation, etherification fractionator, methanol recovery