Ethylene recovery system
US6410817B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C67/055
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Ethylene is a commodity chemical used as a reactant in the production of vinyl acetate. Ethylene is relatively expensive thus making its recovery and re-use in the process encouraged. The present invention provides a method for the recovery of ethylene from the inert gas purge stream from the reactor loop in a vapor-phase process for making vinyl acetate. The method of the present invention includes the steps of contacting the inert gas purge stream containing ethylene with acetic acid in an absorption vessel; discharging a stream containing acetic acid and ethylene from one aspect of the absorption vessel; separating the ethylene from the acetic acid in the stream by contacting the stream with ethylene gas in a scrubber column; and recovering ethylene from a top portion of the scrubber column. The method may also include the step of recycling the recovered ethylene to the reactor loop for further use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.