Process for the co-production of methyl mercaptan and of dimethyl disulfide from carbon oxides

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for the co-production of methyl mercaptan and of dimethyl disulfide, comprising the following successive steps: a) reaction of at least one carbon oxide in the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and hydrogen to form a stream (M) comprising methyl mercaptan, water, and possibly unreacted hydrogen sulfide, b) purification of the stream (M) to obtain a stream (N) enriched in methyl mercaptan and a stream containing the uncondensable compounds (Muncond), c) optional recycling of the stream of uncondensable compounds (Muncond) obtained from step b) into step a), d) recovery of a first portion of the stream (N) including methyl mercaptan purified in step b), e) oxidation with sulfur of the second portion of the stream (N) of methyl mercaptan, to form a stream (O) comprising dimethyl disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, and possibly unreacted methyl mercaptan, f) purification of the stream (O) to separate, on the one hand, the enriched dimethyl disulfide and, on the other hand, the hydrogen sulfide and possibly the methyl mercaptan that has not reacted in step e), g) recycling of the hydrogen sulfide and possibly of the methyl mercaptan isolated in step f) into the stream (M) obtained from step a), h) recovery of the dimethyl disulfide isolated in step f).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.