Process for production of alcohols

• US 20040171890A1
• Filed: 03/12/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta (University of Alberta)
• Original Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta (University of Alberta)
• Inventors: Chuang, Karl T., Chen, Yung F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,235,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 568/895
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 29/04 by hydration of carbon-to-carbon double bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 31/10 containing three carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 31/12 containing four carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/10 Process efficiency

Abstract

The invention disclosed relates to the production of alcohols. A first aspect of the invention relates to a process for production of alcohols, and in particular to a process for the catalytic hydration of an olefin to the corresponding alcohol in substantially anhydrous form, under selected mild reaction conditions, and using a selected catalyst. A second aspect of the invention relates to a process for dehydration of an azeotropic mixture, including a first alcohol and water. A hydration reaction between the water in the azeotropic mixture and an added olefin, under selected mild conditions, and using a selected catalyst, produces a product including a second alcohol corresponding to the olefin, and the first alcohol, in substantially anhydrous form.

Claims

1. A process for the production of alcohols, comprising:

(a) subjecting an olefin to a hydration reaction with water to form a reaction product including the corresponding alcohol, the olefin having a carbon chain of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, the carbon chain being selected from a linear chain and a branched chain, the reaction being conducted in the presence of a solid state olefin hydration catalyst in a reaction zone, the temperature and pressure of the hydration reaction being selected so that the olefin is largely in a vapour phase and the alcohol is in the liquid phase, the olefin being in a molar excess when compared with water, the alcohol content of the water in the reaction zone being maintained at a level to produce a product stream essentially comprising the corresponding alcohol and water; and

(b) simultaneously recovering the corresponding alcohol as a substantially anhydrous liquid.

2. A process according to claim 1 further comprising maintaining the alcohol content of the water in the reaction zone from 10 to 40% mole fraction.

3. A process according to claim 1 further comprising maintaining the alcohol content of the water in the reaction zone from 15 to 40% mole fraction.

4. A process according to claim 1 further comprising maintaining the alcohol content of the water in the reaction zone from 25 to 40% mole fraction.

5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the water in the reaction zone is subjected to mixing such that the alcohol content of the water in the reaction zone is maintained at the level to produce a product stream essentially comprising the corresponding alcohol and water as the water travels through the reaction zone.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst has hydrophobic properties.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the reaction in step (a) is effected by catalytic distillation.

8. A process according to claim 1 wherein step (a) is effected at a pressure of 0.1 to 4 MPa.

9. A process according to claim 8 wherein step (a) is effected in a temperature range of 50-225°

C.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein the feed ratio of water to olefin is in the range of 1:

3 to 1;

5.

11. A process according to claim 10 wherein the pressure is about 2 kPA.

12. A process according to claim 11 wherein the olefin has a carbon chain of 2-4 carbon atoms.

13. A process according to claim 12 wherein the catalyst is a silicate, having a highly regular crystallographic structure characterized by a large surface area, and interconnected cavities within the regular structure.

14. A process according to claim 12 wherein the olefin is propene, and the corresponding alcohol is isopropanol.

15. A process according to claim 12 wherein the olefin is isobutene, and the corresponding alcohol is tertiary butanol.

16. A process according to claim 12 wherein the catalyst is disposed within the column in two separate spaced apart catalytic beds, the two catalyst beds together comprising the reaction zone.

17. A process according to claim 16 wherein step (a) is effected at a pressure of 0.1-4 MPa, and a temperature in the range of 50-225°

C.