Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for producing 1,3-butadiene. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods for the extractive distillation of 1,3-butadiene in a divided wall distillation column having a first region, a second region and a combined bottom region. An exemplary method can include feeding a C4 hydrocarbon stream and a first solvent into the first region and removing a first stream from the first region. The method can further include feeding a second solvent into the second region, removing a second stream that includes 1,3-butadiene from the second region, and removing a third stream from the combined bottom region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for producing 1,3-butadiene. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods for the extractive distillation of 1,3-butadiene in a divided wall distillation column having a first region, a second region and a combined bottom region. An exemplary method can include feeding a C4 hydrocarbon stream and a first solvent into the first region and removing a first stream from the first region. The method can further include feeding a second solvent into the second region, removing a second stream that includes 1,3-butadiene from the second region, and removing a third stream from the combined bottom region.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods and apparatus for synthesizing various biphenols. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making a bisphenol including feeding a phenol at or proximate to the first end of a reactor column including a first end and a second end and including a solid catalyst distributed in multiple locations between the first end and the second end of the reactor column. The method includes feeding an oxomethylene compound to the reactor column at a first location that is at or proximate the first end and at one or more additional locations between the first location and the second end of the reactor column, and removing at least some water from the reactor column. The method includes removing a product composition including a diphenolmethylene product at or proximate to the second end of the reactor column.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods and apparatus for synthesizing various biphenols. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making a bisphenol including feeding a phenol at or proximate to the first end of a reactor column including a first end and a second end and including a solid catalyst distributed in multiple locations between the first end and the second end of the reactor column. The method includes feeding an oxomethylene compound to the reactor column at a first location that is at or proximate the first end and at one or more additional locations between the first location and the second end of the reactor column, and removing at least some water from the reactor column. The method includes removing a product composition including a diphenolmethylene product at or proximate to the second end of the reactor column.