Two-stage process for the hydrogenation of maleic acid to 1,4-butanediol
First Claim
1. A continuous process for the production of at least one of gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran comprising:
- (A) a first hydrogenation zone and a second hydrogenation zone connected in series,(B) supplying to the first hydrogenation zone a feedstream comprising maleic acid,(C) reacting in the first hydrogenation zone, the maleic acid feedstock and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid,(D) supplying to the second hydrogenation zone, the reaction product of the first hydrogenation zone,(E) reacting in the second hydrogenation zone, the reaction product from the first hydrogenation zone and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a product stream comprising at least one of gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran,wherein the temperature of the feedstream comprising maleic acid and the temperature of the first hydrogenation zone are controlled such that the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130°
C.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In the process for the conversion of maleic acid to gamma-butyrolactone, 1.4-butanediol and/or tetrahydrofuran, a feedstream comprising maleic acid is hydrogenated in a first hydrogenation zone to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid and unreacted hydrogen which is then supplied to a second hydrogenation zone, where succinic acid is converted to 1,4-butanediol, the temperatures of the feedstream comprising maleic acid and the first hydrogenation zone are controlled such that the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130° C., thereby minimizing the corrosive effects of the maleic acid and prolonging reactor life and improving overall process economics.
7 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A continuous process for the production of at least one of gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran comprising:
-
(A) a first hydrogenation zone and a second hydrogenation zone connected in series, (B) supplying to the first hydrogenation zone a feedstream comprising maleic acid, (C) reacting in the first hydrogenation zone, the maleic acid feedstock and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid, (D) supplying to the second hydrogenation zone, the reaction product of the first hydrogenation zone, (E) reacting in the second hydrogenation zone, the reaction product from the first hydrogenation zone and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a product stream comprising at least one of gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran, wherein the temperature of the feedstream comprising maleic acid and the temperature of the first hydrogenation zone are controlled such that the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130°
C.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A continuous process for the production of at least one of gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran comprising:
-
(A) a first hydrogenation zone and a second hydrogenation zone connected in series, (B) supplying to the first hydrogenation zone at an inlet temperature of about 70°
C. to about 120°
C. a feedstream comprising maleic acid, wherein the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130°
C.,(C) reacting in the first hydrogenation zone, the maleic acid feedstock and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid, (D) supplying to the second hydrogenation zone at an inlet temperature of about 130°
C. to about 180°
C., the reaction product of the first hydrogenation zone,(E) reacting in the second hydrogenation zone, the reaction product from the first hydrogenation zone and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a product stream comprising at least one of gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran.
-
-
13. A continuous process for the production of at least one of gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran comprising:
-
(A) a first hydrogenation zone and a second hydrogenation zone connected in series therewith wherein each hydrogenation zone independently contains a catalyst comprising a noble metal of Group VIII, (B) supplying to the first hydrogenation zone at an inlet temperature of about 70°
C. to about 120°
C. a feedstream comprising maleic acid, wherein the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130°
C.,(C) reacting in the first hydrogenation zone, the maleic acid feedstock and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid and unreacted hydrogen, (D) supplying to the second hydrogenation zone at an inlet temperature of about 130°
C. to about 180°
C., the reaction product of the first hydrogenation zone,(E) reacting in the second hydrogenation zone, the reaction product from the first hydrogenation zone and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst to produce a product stream comprising 1,4-butanediol. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification