Process for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from formaldehyde and methanol in aqueous solutions

US10377689B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OME TECHNOLOGIES GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Jakob Burger · Waldkirch, DE
• Niklas Schmitz · Kaiserslautern, DE
• Hans Hasse · Kaiserslautern, DE
• Eckhard Stroefer · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 8, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 13, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 8, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/10
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Process for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having ≥3 oxymethylene units (OMEn≥3), comprising the steps:(i) introduction of formaldehyde, methanol and water into a reactor R and reaction to give a reaction mixture containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OMEn=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMEn>1); (ii) introduction of the reaction mixture into a reactive distillation column K1 and separation into a low boiler fraction F1 containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OMEn=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having from 2 to 3 oxymethylene units (OMEn=2-3) and a high boiler fraction F2 containing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having more than two oxymethylene units (OMEn≥3).