Apparatus and process for hydrogenations

Abstract

An apparatus for conducting reactive distillations comprising a first distillation column, a first primary catalyst bed for carrying out a hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds comprising diolefins. The first primary catalyst bed is positioned in the distillation column to provide a first reaction zone for diolefins, and optionally, a first secondary catalyst bed above the first primary catalyst bed is provided as a second reaction zone for diolefins remaining in the first distillation column after the first reaction zone. A mixed saturated/unsaturated compound feed entry is provided below the first primary bed with a hydrogen feed below the primary bed. An overhead line connects to a second distillation column comprising a second primary catalyst bed for carrying out hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds comprising mono olefins from said first distillation column. The second primary catalyst bed is positioned in the second distillation column to provide a first reaction zone for unsaturated compounds, and optionally, a second secondary catalyst bed below the second primary bed provides a second reaction zone for mono olefins remaining in the second distillation column after the first reaction zone. The overhead line from the first distillation column connects to the second distillation column above the second primary catalyst bed and a hydrogen feed enters below the second primary bed.