Abstract: A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated in at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the second rectification is utilized for operating the first rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through heating steam and minimizes the use of electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing alkali metal alcoholates in counter flow by way of reactive rectification, the alkali metal being selected from sodium and potassium. The process is carried out in at least one reaction column and at least one rectification column. The process according to the invention is characterized in that the heating steam used for operating the columns and thus for carrying out the process condenses, and that the energy is used in the condensed water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for workup of a methanol/water mixture which is employed in the production of alkali metal methoxides in a reaction column. The mixture is distillatively separated in a rectification column. The vapours obtained at the upper end of the rectification column are compressed in at least two stages and the energy of the vapours compressed in each case is advantageously transferred to bottoms and side streams of the rectification column. This allows particularly energy-efficient use of the energy of the compressed vapours in the process according to the invention. The process for workup of a methanol/water mixture is employed in the production of alkali metal methoxides in a reaction column, wherein methanol and alkali metal hydroxide solution are reacted with one another in countercurrent in a reaction column.

Abstract: A process can be used for preparing sodium and potassium alkoxides. The process is characterized by two simultaneously implemented but spatially separated reactions of an alcohol ROH with NaOH, and ROH with KOH, to give sodium alkoxide and potassium alkoxide, respectively. The vapours formed in this case contain the alcohol used and water. The vapours are combined, and the resulting mixed vapour is fed to a common distillation with recovery of the alcohol.

Abstract: A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated into at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the first rectification is utilized for operating the second rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through electricity and to save heating steam.

Abstract: A method can be used for producing alkali metal alcoholates in counter flow by reactive rectification. The alkali metal is selected from sodium and potassium. In a first part of the method, the alcohol is converted in counter flow with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. In a second part of the method, the mixture of alcohol and water obtained is separated in a rectification column, and the alcoholic vapour arising is condensed, as a result of which the temperature thereof increases. The energy dissipated during cooling of the condensed vapour is then used in the first part of the method. This permits an energy-efficient production of the alkali metal alcoholates concerned.

Abstract: A method can be used for producing alkali metal alcoholates in counter flow by reactive rectification. The alkali metal is selected from sodium and potassium. In a first part of the method, the alcohol is converted in counter flow with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. In a second part of the method, the mixture of alcohol and water obtained is separated in a rectification column, and the alcoholic vapour arising is condensed, as a result of which the temperature thereof increases. The energy dissipated during cooling of the condensed vapour is then used in the first part of the method. This permits an energy-efficient production of the alkali metal alcoholates concerned.

Abstract: A process can be used for preparing sodium and potassium alkoxides. The process is characterized by two simultaneously implemented but spatially separated reactions of an alcohol ROH with NaOH, and ROH with KOH, to give sodium alkoxide and potassium alkoxide, respectively. The vapours formed in this case contain the alcohol used and water. The vapours are combined, and the resulting mixed vapour is fed to a common distillation with recovery of the alcohol.

Abstract: A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated into at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the first rectification is utilized for operating the second rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through electricity and to save heating steam.

Abstract: A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated in at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the second rectification is utilized for operating the first rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through heating steam and minimizes the use of electricity.