TERTIARY BUTYL ALCOHOL PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC C07C31/12 C07C29/04 

FIELD: industrial organic synthesis.

SUBSTANCE: objective of invention is production of tert-butanol suitable as solvent and organic synthesis intermediate, in particular as raw material in production of pure isobutylene. Process comprises hydration of isobutylene at elevated temperature and pressure in a column-type reactor unit filled with molded ionite catalyst in H-form. Isobutylene-containing C-₄-hydrocarbon fraction is brought into countercurrent contact with water. Exhausted C-₄-fraction is removed from the top portion of reactor unit. Aqueous solution of tertiary butyl alcohol is withdrawn from the bottom portion of reactor unit. From the reaction zone is tapped stream containing hydrocarbons and tertiary butyl alcohol, which stream is then separated to remove and return hydrocarbons into reactor unit. Reactor unit comprises at least two in series connected reactors and catalyst beds with at least one catalyst-free zone between catalyst beds, out of which stream containing hydrocarbons and tertiary butyl alcohol is taken off. Streams mainly containing water are directed to upper part of reactors at temperature by 10-40°C below temperature of the water stream supplied to the entrance of reactor unit, while fresh and recycled hydrocarbons are supplied to reactor unit at temperature by 20 to 120°C below temperature of water supplied to the entrance of reactor unit.

EFFECT: reduced consumption of water employed for hydration, increased degree of isobutylene conversion and productivity, and also reduced consumption of power and materials.

3 dwg, 5 ex