Process for the preparation of alkylene glycols
AssigneeThe Dow Chemical Company
InventorsGary R. Strickler, Von G. Landon, Guo-Shuh John Lee
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Abstract
A method for operating an epoxide containing system which contains a catalyst is disclosed. The method comprises feeding carbon dioxide to the epoxide containing system at an amount of from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent; and maintaining the epoxide containing system at a temperature of from 100° C. to 150° C. The catalyst has a half life of at least 40 days at 120° C. The present invention allows anion exchange resins in the bicarbonate form to be used for the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide at temperatures exceeding 100° C. The rate of catalyst swelling is minimized and lifetime of the catalyst enhanced.
Claims10
A method for making an alkylene glycol comprising:
- feeding an alkylene oxide and water to a reaction zone, the reaction zone comprising a catalyst;
- feeding carbon dioxide to the reaction zone in an amount of at least 0.1 weight percent;
- and
- maintaining a temperature of at least 100° C. in the reaction zone;
- wherein the catalyst has a half-life of at least 40 days at 120° C.
A method for making an alkylene glycol comprising:
- feeding an alkylene oxide and water to at least one adiabatic reactor, the reactor comprising a catalyst;
- feeding carbon dioxide to the reactor in an amount of at least 0.1 weight percent;
- and
- maintaining a temperature of at least 100° C. in the reactor;
- wherein the catalyst has a half-life of at least 40 days at 120° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.