Conser Spa

Emanuela Di Giampaolo

Gabriella Compagnone

A process for the efficient co-production of dialkyl-succinate and 1,4-butanediol by catalytic hydrogenation of dialkyl maleate comprising essentially the following steps: (i) hydrogenating a stream of dialkyl maleate in a first stage of reaction over suitable catalyst to produce dialkyl succinate; (ii) separating the effluent from the first stage of reaction in a flash vessel to produce a liquid stream, rich in dialkyl succinate; (iii) further hydrogenating part of the dialkyl succinate produced in the first stage of reaction in a second stage of reaction, by using the hydrogen gas from the first stage and by means of a different suitable catalyst, for producing mainly 1,4-butanediol, wherein in both stages of reaction, the conditions as hydrogen/organic feed ratio, pressure and temperature are such to maintain the reactors in mixed liquid/vapor phase.

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ROME, Italy

Emanuela Di Giampaolo