Use of partial acetone conversion for capacity increase and quality/yield improvement in the bisphenol-A reaction
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsMichael J. Cipullo, Gaylord M. Kissinger, Isabel M. Matos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Product quality productivity of continuous bisphenol-A (BPA) are increased by increasing the flow rate of reactants through the reactor and decreasing % acetone conversion in the presence of an ion exchange resin catalyst and an optional free mercaptan promoter.
Claims26
A method for the continuous production of bisphenol-A comprising the steps of:
- contacting phenol and acetone in the presence of an acidic catalyst at an accelerated flow rate through the catalyst, said flow rate being sufficient to result in a decrease in acetone conversion, whereby the proportion of acetone is maintained at a high level resulting in a high reaction rate and a corresponding increase in bisphenol-A production;
- and a corresponding separating formed bisphenol-A and prior to depletion of the acetone whereby the residence time of the bisphenol-A is reduced and undesirable by products and color are reduced.
A method for the continuous production of bisphenol-A comprising the steps of contacting a stream of phenol and acetone in the presence of a stationary acidic catalyst and a free mercaptan promoter at an increased flow rate of the stream through the catalyst above a weighted hourly space velocity of about 0.25 whereby the reaction rate is maintained at a higher level and bisphenol-A production is increased and separating bisphenol-A from the stream after formation of the bisphenol-A and prior to consumption of the acetone substantially to depletion whereby the residence time of the bisphenol-A is reduced and undesirable by-products and color are reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.