US4161429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-pressure azeotropic distillation for the manufacture of anhydrous alcohols
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1976-10-22
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Granted: 1979-07-17
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Expires: 1996-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A unique combination of specially chosen entrainers, e.g., pentanes and cyclohexane, and high-pressure azeotropic distillation conditions, e.g., 100-200 psig., provides an economically efficient separation of a C2-C5 alkyl alcohol, e.g., isopropanol, from its aqueous mixture; and also results in the production of a useable steam having a sufficient pressure, e.g., from 10 psig. to 30 psig. Preferably, said azeotropic distillation is conducted in the substantial absence of oxygen, e.g., less than 1 wppm.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Baiel
- 👤 Constantine Tsonopoulos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:40
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D3/00; B01D3/34; B01D3/36; C; C07; C07C; C07C29/00; C07C29/74; C07C29/76; C07C29/80; C07C29/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A process for the manufacture of a substantially anhydrous C 2 -C 5 alcohol from an aqueous mixture thereof by employing a distillation column with the simultaneous generation of a useable steam at the overhead section of the distillation column which comprises conducting the separation of said alcohol from said aqueous mixture in the distillation column at a column pressure ranging from about 50 psig. to about 300 psig. in the presence of cyclohexane and in the presence of oxygen in an amount less than about 6.6 wppm within the distillation column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for the manufacture of a substantially anhydrous C 2 -C 5 alcohol from an aqueous mixture thereof by employing a distillation column with the simultaneous generation of a useable steam at the overhead section of the distillation column which comprises conducting the separation of said alcohol from said aqueous mixture in the distillation column at a column pressure ranging from about 50 psig. to about 300 psig. in the presence of cyclohexane and in the presence of oxygen in an amount less than about 6.6 wppm within the distillation column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said useable steam generated at the overhead section of the distillation column has a pressure ranging from about 5 psig. to about 50 psig.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said column pressure ranges from about 100 psig. to about 200 psig. and the pressure of said generated steam ranges from about 10 psig. to about 30 psig.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pressure of said generated steam ranges from about 20 psig. to about 25 psig.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aqueous alcohol mixture contains a C 2 to C 3 alkyl alcohol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said alcohol is ethanol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said alcohol is isopropanol.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-16 | 1983-01-15 | 1983-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-16 | 1987-01-15 | 1987-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-16 | 1991-01-15 | 1991-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |