US 5,349,096 AGranted

Olefin hydration process

AssigneeBP Chemicals Limited

InventorsRussell W. Cockman, Gordon J. Haining, Philip Lusman, Archibald D. Melville

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Abstract

This invention relates to a method for the hydration of olefins to the corresponding alcohols in the presence of a catalyst system comprising phosphoric acid catalyst supported on a siliceous support. One of the features of the invention is the use of a support which has a high crush strength, a high porosity and low metallic impurities. Using such a support, the catalyst system and the reaction conditions specified not only increase the life of the catalyst system by preventing loss of the crush strength of the support but also the improve the space-time-yield of the alcohol produced.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of hydrating olefins to the corresponding alcohols in the presence of a phosphoric acid catalyst supported on a siliceous support characterized in that

(a) the mole ratio of water to olefin passing through the reactor is in the range from 0.15-0.50,
(b) the space velocity of the water/olefin mixture is from 0.010 to 0.100 g/min/cm.sup.3 of the catalyst system,
(c) the phosphoric acid concentration is from 5 to 55% w/w based on the total weight of the catalyst system,
(d) the said siliceous support is derived from a non-porous silica and the siliceous support has a porosity of at least 0.8 ml/g and an average crush strength of at least 5.5 Kg and has a purity of at least 99% w/w,
(e) the olefin hydration reaction is carried out at a temperature from 170.degree.-300.degree. C., and
(f) the said reaction is carried out at a pressure from 2000-24,000 Kpa.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.