Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien

Franz J Carduck

Theo Fleckenstein

Joachim Pohl

Michael J Virnig

Paul Schulz

In the catalytic hydrogenation of fatty acid methyl esters, the fatty acid methyl esters are continuously reacted with hydrogen under pressures of from 20 to 100 bar and at temperatures of from 160.degree. to 270.degree. C. with molar ratios of hydrogen to fatty acid methyl ester substrate of from 10:1 to 500:1. The reaction is carried out over catalysts which contain from 30 to 40% by weight copper, from 23 to 30% by weight chromium, from 1 to 10% by weight manganese, from 1 to 10% by weight silicon and from 1 to 7% by weight barium (% by weight, based in each case on oxidic catalyst mass) and, if desired, other transition metals in the form of their oxides. After calcination of the components, the catalyst is converted into shaped particulate and/or granulated elements with from 1 to 10% by weight, based on oxidic catalyst, of at least one binder in addition to 1 to 10% by weight graphite. The catalyst is activated with hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas mixture. This process enables production of fatty alcohols in high yield from pre-separated distillation cuts of fatty acid methyl esters at low pressures and very low hydrocarbon formation.

Process for the hydrogenation of fatty acid methyl esters

In the catalytic hydrogenation of fatty acid methyl ester mixtures, the mixtures are continuously reacted with hydrogen under pressures of from 100 to 300 bar and at temperatures of from 160.degree. to 270.degree. C. with molar ratios or hydrogen to fatty acid methyl ester mixture of from 10:1 to 500:1. The reaction is carried out over catalysts which contain from 30 to 40% by weight copper, from 23 to 30% by weight chromium, from 1 to 10% by weight manganese, from 1 to 10% by weight silicon and from 1 to 7% by weight barium (% by weight, based in each case on total weight of the oxidic catalyst) and, if desired, other transition metals in the form of their oxides. After calcination of the components, the catalyst is converted into shaped particulate and/or granulated elements with from 1 to 10% by weight, based on oxidic catalyst, of at least one binder in addition to 1 to 10% by weight graphite. The catalyst is activated with hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas mixture. This process enables production of fatty alcohols in high yield from fatty acid methyl ester mixtures containing fatty acid residues in the C.sub.8 to C.sub.22 carbon chain range without prior separation of the mixtures into individual boiling fractions.

Process for the hydrogenation of fatty acid methyl ester mixtures

A process for the ozonization of unsaturated organic compounds in a reaction column through which the unsaturated compounds--in solution in a protic solvent--and an ozone-containing carrier gas and an inert coolant are passed downward in co-current flow to provide for an improved coolant effect and an increased ozonization yield where the coolant comprises a compound gaseous or liquid at ambient temperature with a boiling point preferably in the range from +20.degree. C. to -200.degree. C. The boiling point of the coolant is preferably at least 5.degree. C. below the ozonization temperature.

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Haan, Germany

Franz J Carduck