Two-Step System And Method For The Production Of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

Embodiments of the present invention describe systems and methods for production of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) from acetone and hydrogen in a two-step process. In a first step, acetone is converted to a product stream containing mesityl oxide (MO) at a temperature in the range of about 0-120° C. and a pressure in the range of about 1-3 atm. The composition of the product stream from the first reaction step is adjusted so that the resulting stream can undergo a favorable liquid-liquid separation in a decanter, and an MO rich product stream can be recovered. The composition of the feed to the decanter is controlled by choosing the number of reactor stages for the first reaction step and their operating temperatures, and/or by recycling some MIBK to the decanter feed. The method does not require a substantially complete conversion of acetone in the first reaction step, nor does it require a removal of DAA from the product of the first reaction step by separation.