Abstract: Disclosed is a step in the purification process of hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerants that are made from processes wherein 1,1,3,3 tetrachloropropene (R1230za) or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (R240fa) is reacted with HF in excess. The purification process employs a cold-temperature reaction with a base to remove the HF and any HCl. The process prevents an increase in unwanted organic side-products, particularly trifluoropropyne (TPS), and simultaneously does not reduce the amount of the desired hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant produced. The process also can have an optional step whereby hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant and other organics are removed from aqueous process stream or streams resulting from the reaction with the base. The organics removed can be recycled. This optional step advantageously can increase the yield of the desired refrigerant, while decreasing the environmental load of the plant, by purifying the resulting aqueous process streams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying a stream of crude hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant produced by the reaction of 1,1,3,3 tetrachloropropene (R1230za) or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (R240fa) with HF. The process includes a step of removing the cis-(Z) isomer by distillation of the crude refrigerant stream prior to a step of reacting the crude refrigerant stream with a base. The reaction with the base is a necessary step in production of the refrigerant and is done to remove HF and residual HCl from the crude refrigerant stream. Removal of the cis-(Z) isomer before the reaction with the base reduces the amount of toxic flammable trifluoropropyne (TFP) that is produced as a side-reaction during the reaction with the base. In addition, temperature control during the reaction with the base is less critical to minimizing the TFP production if the cis-(Z) isomer is first removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying a stream of crude hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant produced by the reaction of 1,1,3,3 tetrachloropropene (R1230za) or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (R240fa) with HF. The process includes a step of removing the cis-(Z) isomer by distillation of the crude refrigerant stream prior to a step of reacting the crude refrigerant stream with a base. The reaction with the base is a necessary step in production of the refrigerant and is done to remove HF and residual HCl from the crude refrigerant stream. Removal of the cis-(Z) isomer before the reaction with the base reduces the amount of toxic flammable trifluoropropyne (TFP) that is produced as a side-reaction during the reaction with the base. In addition, temperature control during the reaction with the base is less critical to minimizing the TFP production if the cis-(Z) isomer is first removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a step in the purification process of hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerants that are made from processes wherein 1,1,3,3 tetrachloropropene (R1230za) or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (R240fa) is reacted with HF in excess. The purification process employs a cold-temperature reaction with a base to remove the HF and any HCl. The process prevents an increase in unwanted organic side-products, particularly trifluoropropyne (TPS), and simultaneously does not reduce the amount of the desired hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant produced. The process also can have an optional step whereby hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant and other organics are removed from aqueous process stream or streams resulting from the reaction with the base. The organics removed can be recycled. This optional step advantageously can increase the yield of the desired refrigerant, while decreasing the environmental load of the plant, by purifying the resulting aqueous process streams.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to systems and processes for recovering R1233zd in purified form from compositions additionally comprising hydrogen fluoride. In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides a process that includes separating a feed stream comprised of hydrogen fluoride and R1233zd using azeotropic distillation in a first distillation column to produce a first distillate stream comprised of hydrogen fluoride and R1233zd and a first bottoms stream consisting essentially of hydrogen fluoride. The first distillation column is operated at a first pressure. The process further includes separating the first distillate stream using azeotropic distillation in a second distillation column to produce a second distillate stream comprised of hydrogen fluoride and R1233zd and a second bottoms stream consisting essentially of R1233zd. The second distillation column is operated at a second pressure that may be different than the first pressure of the first distillation column.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to systems and processes for recovering methanesulfonic acid, in a purified form, from a composition additionally including sulfur trioxide. In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides a process that includes separating a feed stream comprised of hydrocarbons, methanesulfonic acid, sulfur trioxide, and optionally sulfuric acid to produce a light stream comprised of hydrocarbons and a heavy stream comprised of methanesulfonic acid and sulfur trioxide; contacting (e.g., by mixing) the heavy stream with a reactive additive capable of reacting with sulfur trioxide, under conditions effective to cause reaction of the reactive additive with the sulfur trioxide to produce a heavy reaction product having a boiling point higher than the boiling point of methanesulfonic acid; and separating the heavy stream using a distillation column to produce a distillate stream consisting essentially of methanesulfonic acid and a bottoms stream comprising the heavy reaction product.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to systems and processes for recovering methanesulfonic acid, in a purified form, from a composition additionally including sulfur trioxide. In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides a process that includes separating a feed stream comprised of hydrocarbons, methanesulfonic acid, sulfur trioxide, and optionally sulfuric acid to produce a light stream comprised of hydrocarbons and a heavy stream comprised of methanesulfonic acid and sulfur trioxide; contacting (e.g., by mixing) the heavy stream with a reactive additive capable of reacting with sulfur trioxide, under conditions effective to cause reaction of the reactive additive with the sulfur trioxide to produce a heavy reaction product having a boiling point higher than the boiling point of methanesulfonic acid; and separating the heavy stream using a distillation column to produce a distillate stream consisting essentially of methanesulfonic acid and a bottoms stream comprising the heavy reaction product.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to systems and processes for recovering R1233zd in purified form from compositions additionally comprising hydrogen fluoride. In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides a process that includes separating a feed stream comprised of hydrogen fluoride and R1233zd using azeotropic distillation in a first distillation column to produce a first distillate stream comprised of hydrogen fluoride and R1233zd and a first bottoms stream consisting essentially of hydrogen fluoride. The first distillation column is operated at a first pressure. The process further includes separating the first distillate stream using azeotropic distillation in a second distillation column to produce a second distillate stream comprised of hydrogen fluoride and R1233zd and a second bottoms stream consisting essentially of R1233zd. The second distillation column is operated at a second pressure that may be different than the first pressure of the first distillation column.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in a solvent comprising acetonitrile in the presence of an quinone-acid salt and a catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite and a noble metal. The process results in higher productivity and improved selectivity to propylene oxide from hydrogen and oxygen, as compared to processes that use only a quinone.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in a solvent comprising acetonitrile in the presence of an quinone-acid salt and a catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite and a noble metal. The process results in higher productivity and improved selectivity to propylene oxide from hydrogen and oxygen, as compared to processes that use only a quinone.

Abstract: This invention is a process for producing propylene oxide. The process comprises first contacting a titanium zeolite with a reaction feed comprising propylene, hydrogen peroxide, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water to produce a product stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The product stream is distilled to produce a first overhead stream comprising propylene and a first bottoms stream comprising propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The first bottoms stream is distilled to produce a second overhead stream comprising propylene oxide and a second bottoms product stream comprising propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The second bottoms stream is distilled to produce a third overhead stream comprising an azeotrope of tertiary butyl alcohol and water and a third bottoms stream comprising propylene glycol and water.

Abstract: Titanium-MWW zeolite is prepared by heating a gel formed from a titanium compound, a silicon source, a boron source, an MWW-templating agent, and water at a temperature in the range of 35° C. to 75° C. for a period of 8 to 30 hours to form a pre-crystallized gel, and heating the pre-crystallized gel to a temperature in the range of 160° C. to 190° C. for a period of 5 or more days to form the titanium-MWW zeolite. The zeolite, after it is contacted with an acid, is useful in olefin epoxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Titanium-MWW zeolite is prepared by heating a gel formed from a titanium compound, a silicon source, a boron source, an MWW-templating agent, and water at a temperature in the range of 35° C. to 75° C. for a period of 8 to 30 hours to form a pre-crystallized gel, and heating the pre-crystallized gel to a temperature in the range of 160° C. to 190° C. for a period of 5 or more days to form the titanium-MWW zeolite. The zeolite, after it is contacted with an acid, is useful in olefin epoxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: This invention is a process for producing propylene oxide. The process comprises first contacting a titanium zeolite with a reaction feed comprising propylene, hydrogen peroxide, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water to produce a product stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The product stream is distilled to produce a first overhead stream comprising propylene and a first bottoms stream comprising propylene oxide, propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The first bottoms stream is distilled to produce a second overhead stream comprising propylene oxide and a second bottoms product stream comprising propylene glycol, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The second bottoms stream is distilled to produce a third overhead stream comprising an azeotrope of tertiary butyl alcohol and water and a third bottoms stream comprising propylene glycol and water.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of alkylene oxide by catalytic reaction of olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of promoting buffer salts, the improvement wherein the buffer salts are recovered by electrodialysis and/or crystallization and recycled to the catalytic reaction.

Abstract: The invention is a catalyst comprising a titanium or vanadium zeolite, a binder, and zinc oxide, wherein the catalyst is preparing an aqueous mixture of the zeolite, a binder source, and a zinc oxide source, and subjecting the mixture to rapid drying. The catalyst is useful in olefin epoxidation.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite and a supported noble metal is disclosed. The mean mass diameter of the catalyst is greater than 0.5 mm. The catalyst is formed from transition metal zeolite particles and the supported noble metal particles each having a mean mass diameter of less than 0.1 mm. An epoxidation process by reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst is disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of alkylene oxide by catalytic reaction of olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of promoting buffer salts, the improvement wherein the buffer salts are recovered by electrodialysis and/or crystallization and recycled to the catalytic reaction.

Abstract: The invention is a catalyst comprising a titanium or vanadium zeolite, a binder, and zinc oxide, wherein the catalyst is preparing an aqueous mixture of the zeolite, a binder source, and a zinc oxide source, and subjecting the mixture to rapid drying. The catalyst is useful in olefin epoxidation.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a noble metal and a titanium or vanadium zeolite in a solvent mixture comprising water, methanol, and a C3–C6 aliphatic ketone. This process surprisingly gives significantly reduced by-product glycol and glycol ethers formed by the unwanted ring-opening of epoxides.