Process for production of alcohols
AssigneeThe Governors of the University of Alberta
InventorsKarl T. Chuang, Yung F. Chen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims17
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.