Process for the energy-efficient production of alkali metal alkoxides

US12180141B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Evonik Operations GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Dirk Roettger · Recklinghausen, DE
• Sebastian Reimann · Wesseling, DE
• Niklas Paul · Marl, DE
• Armin Matthias Rix · Marl, DE
• Moritz Schröder · Kohlenbissen, DE
• Philip Zitzewitz · Haltern am See, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 13, 2022
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2024
• Expiry date: Aug 9, 2043

Classification

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

Abstract

A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated in at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the second rectification is utilized for operating the first rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through heating steam and minimizes the use of electricity.