Process for the epoxidation of propene

US10870631B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Evonik Operations GmbH · DE
• THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG · DE

Inventors

• Willi Hofen · Rodenbach, DE
• Thomas Haas · Munster, DE
• Wolfgang Wöll · Maintal, DE
• Jürgen Schemel · Bad Soden, DE
• Hans-Christian Dietz · Hattersheim, DE
• Marc Brendel · Bruchköbel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2018
• Grant date: Dec 22, 2020
• Expiry date: May 16, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07D301/12
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a process for the epoxidation of propene, comprising continuously reacting a propene feed with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst in a reaction step, using propene in excess to hydrogen peroxide, to provide a liquid reaction mixture comprising non-reacted propene, extra safety measures caused by the presence of oxygen during work-up of the liquid reaction mixture of the epoxidation reaction can be avoided by stripping liquid reaction mixture from step a) with an inert gas to provide an oxygen depleted stripped liquid reaction mixture and a strip gas stream, selecting the amount of inert gas to provide an oxygen concentration in the strip gas stream in the range of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, separating non-reacted propene from the strip gas stream and recycling it to the reaction step, and separating propene oxide from the stripped liquid reaction mixture.