Hydrogenation process
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hydrogenation process comprising:
- (a) combining a reactant with a nonaqueous solvent to form a nonaqueous solvent/reactant mixture;
(b) contacting the nonaqueous solvent/reactant mixture with hydrogen in the presence of a copper aluminum catalyst within an adiabatic reactor to form a reaction product; and
(c) removing at least a portion of any water present in the reaction product with a water removal process driven at least in part by the heat of reaction of the hydrogenation reaction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved hydrogenation processes wherein heat is efficiently managed so that catalyst productivity is optimized. More particularly, in the processes of the present invention, a nonaqueous solvent is added to a reactant to provide a nonaqueous solvent/reactant mixture that can act as a heat sink and absorb at least a portion of the heat generated within the reactor. Desirably, a reaction product, or a solvent with a minimal number of hydroxyl groups, is utilized so that the formation of unwanted byproducts can be minimized.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A hydrogenation process comprising:
-
(a) combining a reactant with a nonaqueous solvent to form a nonaqueous solvent/reactant mixture; (b) contacting the nonaqueous solvent/reactant mixture with hydrogen in the presence of a copper aluminum catalyst within an adiabatic reactor to form a reaction product; and (c) removing at least a portion of any water present in the reaction product with a water removal process driven at least in part by the heat of reaction of the hydrogenation reaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A glycerin hydrogenation process comprising:
-
(a) combining a glycerin feedstock with a nonaqueous solvent to provide a nonaqueous solvent/glycerin mixture having less than about 5 weight percent water; and (b) contacting the nonaqueous solvent/glycerin mixture with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst within an adiabatic reactor to preferentially form a propylene glycol reaction product comprising less than about 17 wt % water. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification