Study on separation of a new diesel fuel additive polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers

The raw material was treated by extraction, which effectively reduced the tower plugging and azeotropic entrainment. Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE) were separated by atmospheric-vacuum rectification and the optimal technical conditions of each product separation were achieved. In the experiment, the purity of each product reached methyl 99.06%, PODE2 97.81%, PODE3 99.68%, and PODE4 99.62%, which could provide an experimental basis for industrial purification of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers.