US4652685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogenation of lactones to glycols
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1985-11-15
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Granted: 1987-03-24
•
Expires: 2005-11-15
Abstract
Abstract Lactones, particularly gamma-butyrolactone, are hydrogenated in the vapor phase to glycols over a copper chromite catalyst.
Inventors
- 👤 James N. Cawse
- 👤 Norman E. Johnson
- 👤 Michael T. Whitaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:45
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C29/00; C07C29/132; C07C29/136; C07C29/147; C07C29/149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A process for the production of glycol comprising the steps performed consecutively of simultaneously of: (a) contacting reactants comprising lactone and hydrogen with a copper chromite catalyst at temperatures within the range of about 160° to about 230° C. and a mass velocity of from about 1500 to about 15000 lb/hr-ft 2 ; (b) controlling temperature and partial pressures of reactants and proucts to maintain said reactants and products in the vapor phase; and (c) withdrawing reactants and products at about the rate of reactant input.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A process for the production of glycol comprising the steps performed consecutively of simultaneously of: (a) contacting reactants comprising lactone and hydrogen with a copper chromite catalyst at temperatures within the range of about 160° to about 230° C. and a mass velocity of from about 1500 to about 15000 lb/hr-ft 2 ; (b) controlling temperature and partial pressures of reactants and proucts to maintain said reactants and products in the vapor phase; and (c) withdrawing reactants and products at about the rate of reactant input.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said lactone is gamma-butyrolactone and said glycol is 1,4-butanediol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said lactone is epsilon-caprolactone and said glycol is 1,6-hexanediol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the maximum partial pressure of the least volatile reactants and products is controlled within about 0.30 atmospheres of its dew point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the maximum partial pressure of 1,4-butanediol is controlled within about 0.30 atmospheres of its dew point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said reactants are contacted with said copper chromite catalyst at a mass velocity of from about 2000 to about 10000 lb/hr-ft 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said partial pressure of said reactants and products is controlled by varying the rate of withdrawing reactants and products.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the partial pressure of said reactants and products is controlled by varying the rate of input of said reactants.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein temperature ranges from about 180° C. to about 200° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein total reactor pressure ranges from about 5 to about 75 atmospheres.
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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) | 1990-03-23 | 1990-09-22 | 1991-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-23 | 1994-09-22 | 1995-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-23 | 1998-09-22 | 1999-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |