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US 8,895,763 B2Granted
Method and device for producing alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols
AssigneeThyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH
InventorFerdinand Rudolf Reif
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AssigneeThyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH
InventorFerdinand Rudolf Reif
Estimating the term…
An integrated process for preparing alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols is described. For this purpose, an alkylene oxide plant and an alkylene glycol plant are combined with one another and the water originating from the alkylene oxide plant and also other constituents of the reaction mixture are introduced into the alkylene glycol plant. In this way, alkylene glycols which have been produced in the alkylene oxide plant can be recovered as materials of value and the water circulation into the alkylene glycol plant can be eliminated or drastically reduced. In addition, the energy-intensive treatment of the process water from the alkylene oxide plant can be dispensed with. The integration of the two processes leads overall to better energy efficiency and conservation of resources in the work-up of residues from the process.
A process for preparing alkylene oxide and an alkylene oxide derivative chosen from the group consisting of alkylene glycols, alkylene glycol ethers and mixtures thereof in an integrated plant having a first subplant for preparing alkylene oxide by reacting C2-C6-olefin with an oxidant in a liquid and water-containing phase, with alkylene glycols being formed as by-products, and a second subplant for preparing an alkylene oxide derivative chosen from the group consisting of alkylene glycols, alkylene glycol ethers and mixtures thereof by reacting alkylene oxide with a ring opening agent chosen from the group consisting of water, alcohols and mixtures thereof in the liquid phase being connected to the first subplant, wherein the reaction mixture which originates from the first subplant and comprises at least water and an alkylene oxide derivative chosen from the group consisting of alkylene glycols, alkylene glycol ethers and mixtures thereof is introduced into the second subplant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.