US 2002/0177728 A1 · Refining processes

Abstract

Crude C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate streams, e.g., from the reaction of butanol and (meth)acrylic acid, are refined using a splitter distillation column to yield a C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate- and heavies-containing bottoms fraction and an overhead fraction containing C1-C8 alkyl acetate, C1-C8 alcohol and C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate. A stream comprising a water soluble organic solvent is introduced into the splitter distillation column in an amount sufficient to prevent the formation of water layers in the splitter distillation column and thereby reduce fouling in the splitter distillation column. The bottoms fraction is then subjected to separation, e.g., by distillation, to separate heavies from the bottoms fractions and to recover C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A process for refining a C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate-containing stream comprising C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C1-C8 alkyl acetate, heavies and C1-C8 alcohol, the process comprising the steps of:

a. introducing said stream into a splitter distillation column to provide an overhead fraction comprising C1-C8 alkyl acetate, C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate and C1-C8 alcohol and a bottoms fraction comprising C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate and heavies;
b. introducing a second stream comprising a water soluble organic solvent into said splitter distillation column in an amount sufficient to prevent or minimize fouling in said splitter distillation column;
c. withdrawing from the splitter distillation column the bottoms fraction;
and
d. separating heavies from said bottom fraction.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Refining processes

Life of this patent

Refining processes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12