Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing purified methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) comprising subjecting a feed stream containing MIBK and impurities to a first distillation procedure from which acetone is recovered and a bottom product containing MIBK and impurities is withdrawn. This bottom product is fed to a second distillation column, where a vapor overhead product is withdrawn, condensed and fed to an overhead liquid-liquid separator. Part of an organic phase from the overhead liquid-liquid separator is fed to the second distillation column and part is fed to a third distillation column. A vapor overhead product is withdrawn from the third column which is condensed in the same said condenser. The condensed product is fed to the same said overhead liquid-liquid separator, and purified MIBK is withdrawn from the third distillation column. This invention also relates to an apparatus used in such a method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing purified methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) comprising subjecting a feed stream containing MIBK and impurities to a first distillation procedure from which acetone is recovered and a bottom product containing MIBK and impurities is withdrawn. This bottom product is fed to a second distillation column, where a vapour overhead product is withdrawn, condensed and fed to an overhead liquid-liquid separator. Part of an organic phase from the overhead liquid-liquid separator is fed to the second distillation column and part is fed to a third distillation column. A vapour overhead product is withdrawn from the third column which is condensed in the same said condensor. The condensed product is fed to the same said overhead liquid-liquid separator, and purified MIBK is withdrawn from the third distillation column. This invention also relates to an apparatus used in such a method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of aldehydes/alcohols and alkyl benzene. According to the invention, a hydrocarbon feed stream containing olefins and paraffins having an average number of carbon atoms from 10 to 18 per molecule, typically derived from the condensation product of a Fischer-Tropsch reaction is subjected to a hydroformylation reaction to provide a hydroformylation product containing aldehydes/alcohols and paraffins. An aldehyde/alcohol product is separated from the paraffins in the hydroformylation product to provide an aldehyde/alcohol product stream and a paraffin stream. The paraffin stream separated from the hydroformylation product is then subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction to form a dehydrogenation product containing olefins and paraffins, and the dehydrogenation product is subjected to an alkylation reaction to convert olefins to alkyl benzene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing purified methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) comprising subjecting a feed stream containing MIBK and impurities to a first distillation procedure from which acetone is recovered. The bottom product of the first distillation procedure is fed to a liquid-liquid separator and an organic phase from the said liquid-liquid separator is fed to the top region of a second distillation column to produce an overhead product. The said overhead product is condensed and fed to the said liquid-liquid separator. A bottom product containing MIBK is withdrawn from the second distillation column. This bottom product is fed to a third distillation column, high boiling impurities are withdrawn as a bottom product, and purified MIBK is also withdrawn. The invention also relates to an apparatus used in such a method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of alcohols and/or aldehydes. A hydrocarbon feed stream containing paraffins and olefins, typically in which more than 5% by volume of olefin molecules in the hydrocarbon feed stream have a total number of carbon atoms which is different from the total number of carbon atoms of the most abundant two (preferably three) carbon numbers of olefins (by carbon number) in the hydrocarbon stream, is subjected to a hydroformylation reaction in which olefins are converted to alcohols and/or aldehydes. Paraffins in the hydroformylation product are then separated from alcohols and/or aldehydes by azeotropic distillation in an azeotropic distillation column. The invention also relates to a method for separating alcohols/aldehydes from paraffins in a hydrocarbon feed stream in an azeotropic distillation column using a mid-boiling polar entrainer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing purified methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) comprising subjecting a feed stream containing MIBK and impurities to a first distillation procedure from which acetone is recovered. The bottom product of the first distillation procedure is fed to a liquid-liquid separator and an organic phase from the said liquid-liquid separator is fed to the top region of a second distillation column to produce an overhead product. The said overhead product is condensed and fed to the said liquid-liquid separator. A bottom product containing MIBK is withdrawn from the second distillation column. This bottom product is fed to a third distillation column, high boiling impurities are withdrawn as a bottom product, and purified MIBK is also withdrawn. The invention also relates to an apparatus used in such a method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of aldehydes/alcohols and alkyl benzene. According to the invention, a hydrocarbon feed stream containing olefins and paraffins having an average number of carbon atoms from 10 to 18 per molecule, typically derived from the condensation product of a Fischer-Tropsch reaction is subjected to a hydroformylation reaction to provide a hydroformylation product containing aldehydes/alcohols and paraffins. An aldehyde/alcohol product is separated from the paraffins in the hydroformylation product to provide an aldehyde/alcohol product stream and a paraffin stream. The paraffin stream separated from the hydroformylation product is then subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction to form a dehydrogenation product containing olefins and paraffins, and the dehydrogenation product is subjected to an alkylation reaction to convert olefins to alkyl benzene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of alcohols and/or aldehydes. A hydrocarbon feed stream containing paraffins and olefins, typically in which more than 5% by volume of olefin molecules in the hydrocarbon feed stream have a total number of carbon atoms which is different from the total number of carbon atoms of the most abundant two (preferably three) carbon numbers of olefins (by carbon number) in the hydrocarbon stream, is subjected to a hydroformylation reaction in which olefins are converted to alcohols and/or aldehydes. Paraffins in the hydroformylation product are then separated from alcohols and/or aldehydes by azeotropic distillation in an azeotropic distillation column. The invention also relates to a method for separating alcohols/aldehydes from paraffins in a hydrocarbon feed stream in an azeotropic distillation column using a mid-boiling polar entrainer.