Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Constantine Tsonopoulos

Eugene R Thomas

James J Baiel

Ralph G Wolfe

Robert E Steele

Dennis P Maloney

The removal of a glycol contaminant from a mixture of polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers is achieved using a dual solvent extraction process. The process is particularly applicable to removing glycols which accumulate in recirculating solutions of polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers used for the absorption of acid gases from feedstocks such as natural gas, synthetic natural gas, refinery gas, and ammonia synthesis gas.

Removal of glycols from a polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ether solution

A unique combination of specially chosen entrainers, e.g., pentanes and cyclohexane, and high-pressure azeotropic distillation conditions, e.g., 100-200 psig., provides an economically efficient separation of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkyl alcohol, e.g., isopropanol, from its aqueous mixture; and also results in the production of a useable steam having a sufficient pressure, e.g., from 10 psig. to 30 psig. Preferably, said azeotropic distillation is conducted in the substantial absence of oxygen, e.g., less than 1 wppm.

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Morristown, NJ, United States of America

Constantine Tsonopoulos