Process for the production of 1,3-butadiene from 1,3-butanediol

Abstract

Process for the production of 1,3-butadiene comprising: feeding a mixture (a) comprising 1,3-butanediol and water to an evaporator, said water being present in an amount of greater than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably ranging from 10% by weight to 85% by weight, more preferably ranging from 15% by weight to 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of said mixture (a), to obtain: (b) a gaseous stream comprising 1,3-butanediol exiting from the top of said evaporator; and, optionally, (c) a blowdown stream exiting from the bottom of said evaporator; feeding said gaseous stream (b) to a first reactor containing at least one dehydration catalyst to obtain (d) a stream comprising alkenols, water and, optionally, impurities and/or unreacted 1,3-butanediol, exiting from said first reactor; optionally, feeding said stream (d) to a first purification section to obtain: (e) a stream comprising alkenols, water, and, optionally, impurities; (f) a stream comprising water and, optionally, impurities and/or unreacted, 3-butanediol; and, optionally, (f) a stream comprising impurities; feeding said stream (d) or said stream (e) to a second reactor containing at least one dehydration catalyst to obtain (g) a stream comprising 1,3-butadiene, water and, optionally, impurities and/or unreacted alkenols, exiting from said second reactor; feeding said stream (g) to a second purification section to obtain: (h) a stream comprising pure 1,3-butadiene; (i) a stream comprising water and, optionally, unreacted alkenols; and, optionally, (1) a stream comprising impurities. Said 1,3-butadiene may advantageously be used as a monomer or intermediate in the production of elastomers and (co)polymers.