Regeneration of zeolite carbonylation catalysts

US8329606B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BP Chemicals Limited · US

Inventors

• Edo Johann Becker · Hull, GB
• Evert Jan Ditzel · Goole, GB
• Harry Kaiser · Heidelberg, DE
• George Ernest Morris · Corby, GB
• Mark Stephen Roberts · Beverley, GB
• Stephan Schunk · Heidelberg, DE
• Martin Smit · Bloemendaal, NL
• John Glenn Sunley · Corby, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 16, 2008
• Grant date: Dec 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/584
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Process for the in-situ regeneration of a zeolite catalyst in a carbonylation process for the production of at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid. The process is carried out by (a) contacting a carbonylatable reactant selected from methanol, dimethyl ether and dimethyl carbonate and carbon monoxide in a reactor with a zeolite catalyst and recovering a product stream containing at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid from the reactor, (b) ceasing contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant, (c) regenerating the catalyst with a regenerating gas selected from hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range 250 to 600 C, and (d) terminating the hydrogen regenerating step and resuming contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant and carbon monoxide.