Process

US7553397B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Davy Process Technology Limited · GB

Inventors

• Stephen William Colley · Redcar, GB
• Christopher Richard Fawcett · London, GB
• Mohammad Sharif · Rostock, DE
• Michael William Marshall Tuck · London, GB
• David J. Watson · Longridge, GB
• Michael Anthony Wood · Yarm, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 29, 1999
• Grant date: Jun 30, 2009
• Expiry date: Sep 29, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C67/54
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process is described for the recovery of substantially pure ethyl acetate from a feedstock including ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. The process includes supplying the feedstock to a first distillation zone maintained under first distillation conditions effective for distilling from the feedstock a first distillate including ethyl acetate, ethanol, and less than about 10 mol % water. The first distillate is recovered from the first distillation zone and is supplied to a second distillation zone maintained under second distillation conditions, which include use of a higher pressure than that of the first distillation zone. The second distillation conditions are effective for distilling from the first distillate a second distillate including ethanol, water, and a minor proportion of ethyl acetate and yielding a substantially pure ethyl acetate bottom product, which is recovered. The second distillate is returned to the first distillation zone.