Diffusion Resistances and Contribution of Surface Diffusion in TAME and TAEE Production Using Amberlyst-15

Effective diffusivities and adsorption equilibrium constants of methanol, ethanol and 2-methyl-2-butene (2M2B), in Amberlyst 15, were evaluated from batch adsorption experiments. Moment expressions derived for different models involving diffusion resistances in the macropores and within the gel-like micrograins were used for the evaluation of effective diffusion coefficients. Contribution of surface diffusion to diffusion flux within the macropores was found to be quite significant. Also, it was found that diffusion resistance in liquid filled macropores was much more significant than diffusion resistance within the gel-like micrograins of Amberlyst 15., for methanol, ethanol and 2M2B.