Method for improving the color of MTBE, ETBE and TAME
AssigneeGlobal Octanes Corporation
InventorsKunio Koga, Misao Mori
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for improving the color of oxygenates, such as MTBE, ETBE and TAME, which utilizes a hydrogenation treater in the presence of a catalyst, containing at least one noble metal, along with a circulation of hydrogen to remove the color. The process reduces existing color bodies in the oxygenate and may proceed at room temperature and at normal pressure for economically providing a completely clear product having a +30 saybolt number.
Claims27
A process for removing color completely and economically from oxygenates comprising the steps of:
- a. feeding the oxygenate to a hydrogenation reactor wherein existing color bodies in the oxygenate are hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst and a circulation of hydrogen to remove the color;
- and
- b. recovering a colorless oxygenate from the hydrogenation reactor,
- c. wherein the hydrogenation reactor is provided with a catalyst containing at least one noble metal.
A process for removing color completely and economically from an oxygenate through a hydrogenation reaction for removing color bodies in the oxygenate comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a feed rate of the oxygenate to a trickle bed reactor packed with a catalyst, said oxygenate having an initial color intensity;
- b. determining the reactor volume and the height of the catalyst bed based on the feed rate and the desired color intensity of the oxygenate;
- c. feeding the oxygenate to the trickle bed reactor;
- d. simultaneously feeding hydrogen to the trickle bed reactor;
- and
- e. recovering the oxygenate from the trickle bed reactor, said recovered oxygenate having an improved color intensity.
A process for removing color completely and economically from an oxygenate through a hydrogenation reaction for removing color bodies in the oxygenate comprising the steps of:
- a. feeding the oxygenate into a stirred tank reactor;
- b. feeding a catalyst into the oxygenate in the reactor, said oxygenate having an initial color intensity;
- c. adding hydrogen to the oxygenate and catalyst;
- and
- d. recovering an oxygenate from the stirred tank reactor, said recovered oxygenate having an improved color intensity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.