Combined distillation and permeation process for the separation of oxygenated compounds from hydrocarbons and use thereof in etherification
US5609734A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C41/42
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for the separation of oxygenated compounds, containing mainly methanol and possibly a minor amount of water and/or dimethyl ether, from a mixture of hydrocarbons containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms containing said oxygenated compounds. The mixture is distilled in a distillation zone (D). A gaseous distillate (line 2) is taken overhead which contains methanol, possibly water, possibly dimethyl ether, and hydrocarbons. The gaseous distillate is separated in a separator (B) and at least one organic liquid phase is recovered (line 6) and sent as a reflux to the head of distillation zone D. An aqueous liquid phase (line 5) may possibly be recovered, also a gaseous phase (line 4). A phase (line 8) is extracted as a side stream from the distillation zone and sent to a permeation zone (PV) comprising at least one membrane which is selectively permeable to methanol; a permeation step is carried out on said phase. At least one methanol-enriched permeate (line 14) is recovered downstream of the permeation zone, preferably as a vapor, and at least one residue (line 11) is recovered upstream which is optionally recycled to the distillation zone. The purified hydrocarbon mixture is extracte…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.