US 2021/0002192 A1 · CONTINUOUS OR SEMI-CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND CATALYST SYSTEM FOR USE THEREIN

Abstract

A continuous or semi-continuous process for the preparation of ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate source including: reacting, in a reactor, at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 170° C. to equal to or less than 270° C., at least a portion of a carbohydrate source in the presence of hydrogen, a solvent, and a catalyst system, to yield ethylene glycol; wherein the catalyst system includes: a homogeneous catalyst, which homogeneous catalyst contains tungsten; and a heterogeneous catalyst, which heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements supported on a carrier; and wherein continuously or periodically additional heterogeneous catalyst is added to the reactor. Further described is a catalyst system that can be used in such a process.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A continuous or semi-continuous process for the preparation of ethylene glycol from a carbohydrate source including:

reacting, in a reactor, at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 170° C. to equal to or less than 270° C., at least a portion of a carbohydrate source in the presence of hydrogen, a solvent, and a catalyst system, to yield ethylene glycol;
wherein the catalyst system includes:
a homogeneous catalyst, which homogeneous catalyst contains tungsten;
and
a heterogeneous catalyst, which heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements supported on a carrier;
and wherein continuously or periodically additional heterogeneous catalyst is added to the reactor.

3 more elements

Catalyst system including:

a) a homogeneous catalyst, that is preferably residing in a reactor, which homogeneous catalyst contains tungsten;
b) a first heterogeneous catalyst, that is preferably residing in the reactor, which first heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements supported on a carrier, and which first heterogeneous catalyst further contains an amount of tungsten;
and
c) a second heterogeneous catalyst, that is preferably continuously or periodically added to the reactor, which second heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements supported on a carrier, and which second heterogeneous catalyst contains no tungsten;
or an amount of tungsten in a molar ratio of moles tungsten to moles transition metal that is less than the molar ratio of moles tungsten to moles transition metal of the first heterogeneous catalyst.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Continuous or semi-continuous process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and catalyst system for use therein

Life of this patent

Continuous or semi-continuous process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and catalyst system for use therein

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16