Abstract: A propylene oxide separation system comprising a heavies distillation column configured to receive a crude propylene oxide stream and discharge a heavies purge bottoms comprising at least one impurity selected from acetone, methanol, aldehydes, aldehyde derivatives, water, heavy hydrocarbons comprising C5+, or combinations thereof, and discharge a heavies distillation column overhead stream comprising a majority of the propylene oxide entering with the crude propylene oxide stream, and a first extractive distillation column configured to receive the heavies distillation column overhead stream and a first extraction solvent stream comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, and discharge a lights purge overhead comprising at least one impurity selected from aldehydes (e.g., acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, etc.

Abstract: A propylene oxide separation system comprising a heavies distillation column configured to receive a crude propylene oxide stream and discharge a heavies purge bottoms comprising at least one impurity selected from acetone, methanol, aldehydes, aldehyde derivatives, water, heavy hydrocarbons comprising C5+, or combinations thereof, and discharge a heavies distillation column overhead stream comprising a majority of the propylene oxide entering with the crude propylene oxide stream, and a first extractive distillation column configured to receive the heavies distillation column overhead stream and a first extraction solvent stream comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, and discharge a lights purge overhead comprising at least one impurity selected from aldehydes (e.g., acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, etc.

Abstract: A process for producing propylene oxide from propylene is disclosed. The process comprises reacting propylene and an oxidant selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent having a boiling point of 110° C. or lower to produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture including the catalyst is distilled to produce a vapor stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, and at least a portion of the solvent, and a slurry stream comprising the solvent and the catalyst. At least a portion of the slurry stream is recycled to the reaction step.

Abstract: A process for producing propylene oxide from propylene is disclosed. The process comprises reacting propylene and an oxidant selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen in a slurry comprising a catalyst and a solvent having a boiling point of 110° C. or lower to produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture including the catalyst is distilled to produce a vapor stream comprising propylene, propylene oxide, and at least a portion of the solvent, and a slurry stream comprising the solvent and the catalyst. At least a portion of the slurry stream is recycled to the reaction step.

Abstract: A process for recovering a purified propane purge comprising fractionating in a first distillation column a feed stream comprising 2 to 10 wt % methanol, 5 to 20 wt % propylene, and 70 to 90 wt % propane thereby producing a first light product stream and a first heavy product stream, the first heavy product stream comprising less than 1.5 wt % propylene, and an amount of methanol that is at least 70 wt % of the methanol present in the first distillation column feed stream; and fractionating the first heavy product stream in a second distillation column at a pressure from 220 to 258 psia, thereby producing a second light product stream and a second heavy product stream, the second light product stream comprising at least 96 wt % propane and less than 1 wt. % methanol, and wherein an amount of propane present in the second light product stream is 20 to 45 wt % of the propane present in the first distillation column feed stream.