Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien

Hartwig Schutt

Lutz Jeromin

Wolfgang Rupilius

Herbert Lepper

Norbert Bremus

Gerhard Dieckelmann

This invention is directed to the preparation of polyhydric alcohols. More specifically, this invention is directed to a continuous process for preparing polyhydric alcohols by the hydrogenation of carbohydrates in the presence of ruthenium-containing catalysts at elevated temperatures and elevated pressure, the improvement wherein the catalyst comprises a catalyst solid bed of ruthenium carrier catalyst in lumps.

Process for the continuous preparation of polyhydric alcohols

A process for the continuous production of triacetin consisting essentially of continuously charging liquid glycerol into a first liquid reaction area through which acetic acid vapors and water vapors flow, said liquid reaction area being divided into a number of separate individual areas through which liquid glycerol and liquid acetin reaction products flow in one direction and gaseous acetic acid and water flow in a countercurrent direction, continuously charging acetic acid vapor to a separate individual area where said liquid mixture has an OH number of less than 600, continuously separating a liquid mixture of acetins and water having an OH number of less than 600, continuously passing said liquid mixture into a second liquid reaction area, continuously adding thereto liquid acetic acid anhydride in an amount sufficient to react with water dissolved in said liquid mixture to form acetic acid and to react with monoacetin and diacetin present to form triacetin and continuously recovering triacetin.

Growing community of inventors

Dusseldorf-Benrath, Germany

Hartwig Schutt