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Abstract

An apparatus for producing dimethyl ether by catalytic dehydration of methanol and by distillation of the dehydration product includes a first DME reactor having at least a first reaction stage and a last reaction stage connected in series, the first reaction stage being configured to at least partially perform catalytic dehydrogenation of methanol. A cooling apparatus is disposed between at least the first reaction stage and the last reaction stage and is configured to cool a reaction mixture conveyed from the first reaction stage disposed upstream of said cooling apparatus. A DME column is disposed downstream of, and operatively coupled to, the last reaction stage and is configured to separate dimethyl ether from the reaction mixture conveyed from the last reaction stage. A methanol column is also operatively coupled to a bottom of the DME column and is configured to separate the dimethyl-free reaction mixture into methanol and water.

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First Claim