Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapour phase chemical dehydration of ethanol using an adiabatic reactor, wherein the interior of the adiabatic reactor is separated into at least three reaction zones, comprising a first reaction zone, at least one intermediate reaction zone and a final reaction zone, and wherein each zone contains an ethanol dehydration catalyst; said process comprising the steps of; a) feeding a pre-heated reactant feed-stream into an inlet of the first reaction zone; b) extracting an effluent-stream from an outlet of the first reaction zone; c) feeding said effluent-stream into an inlet of a subsequent intermediate reaction zone; d) extracting an effluent-stream from an outlet of the intermediate reaction zone; e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for any subsequent intermediate reaction zones, if present; f) feeding, into an inlet of the final reaction zone, the effluent-stream from the preceding intermediate reaction zone; g) extracting a product stream

Abstract: A process for the vapour phase chemical dehydration of ethanol in a reactor in the presence of a supported heteropolyacid catalyst, said process comprising a step of contacting the ethanol with the heteropolyacid catalyst, wherein the heteropolyacid catalyst comprises a partially neutralised silicotungstic acid salt, wherein the partially neutralised silicotungstic acid salt has from 30% to 70% of the hydrogen atoms replaced with cations selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, transition metal cations, ammonium cations, and mixtures thereof; but with the proviso that the alkali metal cation is not lithium; and wherein, after attaining steady-state performance of the catalyst, said process is operated continuously with the same supported heteropolyacid catalyst for at least 150 hours, without any regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing ethene by the vapor phase dehydration of ethanol using a supported heteropolyacid catalyst. In particular, the present invention involves the use of a supported heteropolyacid catalyst, wherein the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is: i) a mixed oxide support comprising silica and a transition metal oxide, wherein silica is present in an amount of at least 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mixed oxide support; or ii) a mixed oxide support comprising zirconia and a different transition metal oxide, wherein zirconia is present in an amount of at least 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mixed oxide support. When used in a process for the preparation of ethene by vapor phase dehydration, and after attaining steady-state performance of the catalyst, the process may be operated continuously with the same supported heteropolyacid catalyst for at least 150 hours without any regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapor phase chemical dehydration of a feed comprising ethanol and optionally water and/or ethoxyethane, said process comprising contacting a dried supported heteropoly acid catalyst in a reactor with the feed-stream having feed temperature of at least 200° C.; wherein the pressure inside the reactor is at least 0.80 MPa but less than 1.80 MPa; and before the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is contacted with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C., the process is initiated by: (i) drying a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor under a stream of inert gas having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 200° C.; and (ii) contacting the dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst with an ethanol-containing vapor stream having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 160° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapor phase chemical dehydration of a feed-stream comprising ethanol and optionally water and/or ethoxy ethane, said process comprising contacting a dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C.; wherein before the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is contacted with the feed-stream having a feed temperature of at least 200° C., the process is initiated by: (i) drying a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor under a stream of inert gas having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 200° C.; and (ii) contacting the dried supported heteropolyacid catalyst with an ethanol-containing vapor stream having a feed temperature of from above 100° C. to 160° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapor phase chemical dehydration of a feed comprising ethanol, said process comprising contacting the feed with a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor, wherein the feed temperature is at least 250° C. and the pressure inside the reactor is at least 0.80 MPa but less than 1.80 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing ethene by the vapour phase dehydration of ethanol using a supported heteropolyacid catalyst. In particular, the present invention involves the use of a supported heteropolyacid catalyst, wherein the supported heteropolyacid catalyst is: i) a mixed oxide support comprising silica and a transition metal oxide, wherein silica is present in an amount of at least 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mixed oxide support; or ii) a mixed oxide support comprising zirconia and a different transition metal oxide, wherein zirconia is present in an amount of at least 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mixed oxide support. When used in a process for the preparation of ethene by vapour phase dehydration, and after attaining steady-state performance of the catalyst, the process may be operated continuously with the same supported heteropolyacid catalyst for at least 150 hours without any regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the vapour phase chemical dehydration of ethanol in a reactor in the presence of a supported hetero-polyacid catalyst, said process comprising a step of contacting the ethanol with the heteropolyacid catalyst, wherein the heteropoly acid catalyst comprises a partially neutralised silicotungstic acid salt, wherein the partially neutralised silicotungstic acid salt has from 30% to 70% of the hydrogen atoms replaced with cations selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, transition metal cations, ammonium cations, and mixtures thereof; but with the proviso that the alkali metal cation is not lithium; and wherein, after attaining steady-state performance of the catalyst, said process is operated continuously with the same supported heteropolyacid catalyst for at least 150 hours, without any regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol, the process comprising the steps of distilling an ethanol feedstock (101) comprising at least one nitrogen-containing contaminant to form an overhead stream (102) and a bottom stream comprising ethanol (103), wherein the distillation has a reflux ratio of at least 20:1; and reacting the bottom stream in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylene.

Abstract: Process for treating an alcohol composition containing nitrogen-containing contaminants by contacting the alcohol composition with an adsorbent in an adsorption zone. The adsorbent is a transition metal-loaded solid porous material selected from aluminosilicates, silica-aluminas, silicates and aluminas, and the alcohol composition is contacted with the adsorbent either alone or in the presence of an inert carrier gas.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of an alcohol composition containing nitrogen-containing contaminants by contacting the alcohol composition in the vapor phase with an adsorbent in an adsorption zone.

Abstract: A process for the acid-catalysed dehydration of ethanol, the process comprising the steps of distilling an ethanol feedstock (101) comprising at least one nitrogen-containing contaminant to form an overhead stream (102) and a bottom stream comprising ethanol (103), wherein the distillation has a reflux ratio of at least 20:1; and reacting the bottom stream in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylene.