Celanese International Corporation

Carolyn Supplee

Tobin Jay Marks

William E Slinkard

George C Seaman

Hermelinda Pedraza

Martiniano Garza, Jr

R Jay Warner

Jerry A Broussard

Edward G Zey

Hung-Cheun Cheung

H Robert Gerberich

Steven E Parker

Rodolfo W Laurel

Edwards G Zey

Stephen Joseph Markovich

Michael Joseph Barber

A process for treating a composition containing a substantial proportion of trimethyflolpropane bis-monolinear formal (TMP-BMLF) or trimethylolethane bis-monolinear formal (TME-BMLF), e.g., a heavy ends residue obtained from the purification of a crude trimethylolpropane (TMP) or trimethylolethane (TME) product, wherein the composition is contacted at an elevated temperature with a strong acid catalyst, e.g., methanesulfonic acid, to produce a composition containing significantly increased amounts of TMP and trimethylolpropane monocyclic formal (TMP-MCF) or TME and trimethylolethane monocyclic formal (TME-MCF) respectively. Also disclosed is a process for reacting TMP-MCF or TME-MCF, either in substantially pure form or as present in the light ends overhead stream obtained in a finishing treatment of crude TMP or TME, with a monohydric or dihydric alcohol, e.g., ethylene glycol, in the presence of a strong acid catalyst to obtain additional TMP or TME and an acetal by-product, e.g., 1,3-dioxolane; and a process for directly reacting the TMP-BMLF or TME-BMLF present in a composition, e.g., the heavy ends residue obtained in the purification of TMP or TME, with a monohydric or dihydric alcohol, e.g., ethylene glycol, in the presence of a strong acid to obtain additional TMP or TME and an acetal by-product, e.g., 1,3-dioxolane.

Treatment of a composition comprising a trimethylolalkane bis-monolinear formal

A process for treating a composition containing a substantial proportion of trimethylolpropane bis-monolinear formal (TMP-BMLF) or trimethylolethane bis-monolinear formal (TME-BMLF), e.g., a heavy ends residue obtained from the purification of a crude trimethylolpropane (TMP) or trimethylolethane (TME) product, wherein the composition is contacted at an elevated temperature with a strong acid catalyst, e.g., methanesulfonic acid, to produce a composition containing significantly increased amounts of TMP and trimethylolpropane monocyclic formal (TMP-MCF) or TME and trimethylolethane monocyclic formal (TME-MCF) respectively.

Treatment of a composition comprising a trimethylolalkane bis-monolinear

Broadly, the present invention is directed to a process for the removal of sulfur from an acrylate stream. In particular, disclosed is a process for the recovery and reuse of an acid catalyst employed primarily in the reaction to form acrylic esters. Reaction end components which include the acid catalyst employed in the reaction process, are directed to an extractor for contact with water. Upon contact with water, a phase separation occurs between the acid catalyst/water mixture and other organic matter. The organic matter is sent forward for product purification while the acid/water mixture is recycled to the reaction process. The present invention employs the use of an extractor to aid in the separation of the acid catalyst from the reaction by-products. This removal of acid results in fewer organic sulfur components to be emitted from the reaction process and hence is a more environmentally friendly process.

Sulfur removal process from an acrylate stream

Broadly, the present invention is directed to a process for the removal of sulfur from an acrylate waste stream. In particular, disclosed is a process for the recovery and reuse of an acid catalyst employed primarily in the reaction of acrylic esters. During the reaction of acrylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst, the product acrylate and water are removed from the remaining reaction by-products (heavy ends and oligomers). These by-product heavy end components which include the acid catalyst employed in the reaction process, are directed to an evaporator. The residue stream therefrom is then contacted with water in an extractor. Upon contact with water, a phase separation occurs between the acid catalyst/water mixture and other organic matter. The organic matter is discarded while the acid/water mixture is recycled to the reaction process. The present invention employs the use of an evaporator and an extractor to aid in the separation of the acid catalyst from the reaction by-products waste stream. This removal of acid results in fewer organic sulfur components to be emitted from the reaction process and hence is a more environmentally friendly process.

Sulfur removal process from an acrylate waste stream

Disclosed is a process for acquiring crude trimethylolpropane (TMP) of low reacted color. TMP is generally prepared by the condensation of n-butyraldehyde and formaldehyde in an alkali solution. The mixture is then concentrated and placed through an extractor. It has been found that a high concentration of low color TMP is present in the extractor and may by obtained by taking a slip stream of hot organic/water/TMP from the extractor and allowing the mixture to cool and phase separate. Upon separation of the phases, TMP generally having an acid wash color of about or less than 5 GU is recovered from the water phase. Disclosed is use of a single and multistage extractor.

Process improvement to produce low color trimethylolpropane

Disclosed is a process to produce paraformaldehyde prills having a low dissolution time and low concentration of insoluble formation. The insolubles are believed to lead to stickiness, tackiness, and loss of flowability of the product, loss of handling, and lead to storage problems of the final prill product. To address this problem, a concentrated formaldehyde solution is prepared having a purity ranging from 37%-99% and may be mixed with an amine additive, an amine and alcohol additive, or amine, alcohol, and caustic additive. Alternatively, the final prill may be sprayed with an amine or amine mixture stabilizer.

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Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America

Carolyn Supplee