Covestro LLC

Daniel R Wagner

Brian L Neal

Jenna L Caputo

Mark A Christman, Ii

Nigel Barksby

Anthony R Loveday

Matthew S Otto

Charles D Starkey

Processes for purifying polyether polyols via treatment with ion exchange resins. A mixture that includes the polyether polyol and alkali metal ions is passed through a first bed that includes a cation exchange resin comprising carboxylic acid and/or phosphonic acid groups to remove alkali metal ions from the mixture. Thereafter, the product is passed through a second bed comprising an anion exchange resin comprising quaternary ammonium groups and a cation exchange resin comprising carboxylic acid and/or phosphonic acid groups to thereby produce a purified polyether polyol.

Processes for purifying polyether polyols using ion exchange resins

Disclosed are methods for purifying polyols containing oxyalkylene units that is an alkali metal catalyzed alkoxylation reaction product of an alkylene oxide and an H-functional starter. The methods include neutralizing the alkali metal ions with an aqueous solution comprising water and sulfuric acid, in which: (i) the sulfuric acid is present in an amount of no more than 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous solution, and (ii) the sulfuric acid is used in an amount of 2% to 10% more than the theoretical amount necessary to neutralize all of the alkali metal ions present. The methods can produce polyols having a low content of 2-methyl-2-pentenal.

Methods for purifying polyols containing oxyalkylene units to reduce 2-methyl-2-pentenal content

Methods of removing amine contaminants from equipment used in the production of polyether polyols. These methods include: (a) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of a first acid; (b) discharging the aqueous solution of the first acid from the equipment; (c) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of an acidic metal conditioner; (d) discharging the aqueous solution of the acidic metal conditioner from the equipment; (e) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide; and (f) discharging the aqueous solution of the alkali metal hydroxide from the equipment.

Methods for removing amine contaminants from equipment used in the production of polyether polyols

Batch 'water processes' for producing high functionality polyether polyols from polyhydroxyl compounds that are solid at ambient conditions, such as is the case with sucrose, are disclosed. The disclosed processes avoid use of an intermediate dewatering step.

Water processes for producing polyether polyols from solid polyhydroxyl compounds

Disclosed are processes and systems for removing water from a polyether polyol that employs a controlled temperature and pressure profile.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Daniel R Wagner