Abstract: A process is provided for converting one or more cyclic ethylene ureas into corresponding ethylene amines and carbon dioxide. The process may include contacting water with one or more cyclic alkylene urea compounds comprising one or more cyclic alkylene urea moieties in a reaction vessel at a temperature of 150 to 400° C., optionally in the presence of an amine compound selected from the group of primary amines, cyclic secondary amines and bicyclic tertiary amines. The mole ratio of water to cyclic alkylene urea moieties is in the range of from about 0.1 to about 20. In the reaction, at least a portion of the cyclic alkylene urea moieties are converted to corresponding alkylenediamine moieties and carbon dioxide. The process may further include removing the carbon dioxide from the liquid reaction mixture in a stripping vessel by feeding a stripping fluid to the stripping vessel. Further, the process may include removing a carbon dioxide-containing stripping fluid.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting cyclic alkyleneureas into their corresponding alkyleneamines. The process includes, in a first step, converting cyclic alkyleneureas into their corresponding alkyleneamines by reacting cyclic alkyleneureas in the liquid phase with water with removal of CO2, so as to convert from about 5 mole % to about 95 mole % of alkyleneurea moieties in the feedstock to the corresponding amines. The process further includes, in a second step, adding an inorganic base and reacting cyclic alkylene ureas remaining from the first step with the inorganic base to convert them partially or completely into their corresponding alkyleneamines. Certain embodiments of the two-step process obtain a high conversion of cyclic alkyleneureas, while using substantially less strong inorganic base. Certain embodiments of the process process also show a higher selectivity to amines than prior art processes.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting one or more cyclic ethylene ureas into corresponding ethylene amines and carbon dioxide. The process may include contacting water with one or more cyclic alkylene urea compounds comprising one or more cyclic alkylene urea moieties in a reaction vessel at a temperature of 150 to 400° C., optionally in the presence of an amine compound selected from the group of primary amines, cyclic secondary amines and bicyclic tertiary amines. The mole ratio of water to cyclic alkylene urea moieties is in the range of from about 0.1 to about 20. In the reaction, at least a portion of the cyclic alkylene urea moieties are converted to corresponding alkylenediamine moieties and carbon dioxide. The process may further include removing the carbon dioxide from the liquid reaction mixture in a stripping vessel by feeding a stripping fluid to the stripping vessel. Further, the process may include removing a carbon dioxide-containing stripping fluid.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting cyclic alkyleneureas into their corresponding alkyleneamines. The process includes, in a first step, converting cyclic alkyleneureas into their corresponding alkyleneamines by reacting cyclic alkyleneureas in the liquid phase with water with removal of CO2, so as to convert from about 5 mole % to about 95 mole % of alkyleneurea moieties in the feedstock to the corresponding amines. The process further includes, in a second step, adding an inorganic base and reacting cyclic alkylene ureas remaining from the first step with the inorganic base to convert them partially or completely into their corresponding alkyleneamines. Certain embodiments of the two-step process obtain a high conversion of cyclic alkyleneureas, while using substantially less strong inorganic base. Certain embodiments of the process process also show a higher selectivity to amines than prior art processes.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting cyclic alkyleneureas into their corresponding alkyleneamines. The process includes reacting a feedstock comprising cyclic alkyleneureas in the liquid phase with water in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 20 mole water per mole urea moiety, at a temperature of at least 230° C., with removal of CO2. The process may allow the efficient conversion of alkyleneureas into the corresponding alkyleneamines. In certain embodiments, the process has a high yield and low side product production.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting cyclic alkyleneureas into their corresponding alkyleneamines. The process includes reacting a feedstock comprising cyclic alkyleneureas in the liquid phase with water in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 20 mole water per mole urea moiety, at a temperature of at least 230° C., with removal of CO2. The process may allow the efficient conversion of alkyleneureas into the corresponding alkyleneamines. In certain embodiments, the process has a high yield and low side product production.