Method of preparing methyl tert-butyl ether

A method of preparing methyl tert-butyl ether, the method comprising:

• a reaction step of reacting methanol with iso-butene in presence of an acid catalyst to generate methyl tert-butyl ether;
• and
• a purification step of purify the reaction product obtained by the reaction step by introducing the reaction product into a reaction distillation column comprising a packing stage containing an acid catalyst,
• wherein the reaction step is performed in a first reaction part comprising one reactor or two or more reactors connected in parallel;
• and in a second reaction part comprising one or more reactors connected in series to the first reaction part,
• wherein a portion of a reaction product discharged from the first reaction part is recycled in the first reaction part, wherein a flow ratio of a recycle to a fresh feed is greater than 0.9 and less than 1.7 when a total volume of the one or more reactors comprised in the first reaction part is 30 m3 or less, a flow ratio of a recycle to a fresh feed is greater than 2.2 and less than 4.8 when a total volume of the one or more reactors comprised in the first reaction part is greater than 30 m3 and 60 m3 or less, and a flow ratio of a recycle to a fresh feed is greater than 3.1 and less than 9.8 when a total volume of the one or more reactors comprised in the first reaction part is greater than 60 m3.