Patent ID: 8383861
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the manufacture of one or more ethanolamines and one or more ethyleneamines comprising the steps of: a) combining ethylene oxide with ammonia; b) a first reacting step comprising reacting ethylene oxide with ammonia in a manner to produce one or more ethanolamines, wherein said first reacting step forms a first effluent comprising: c) a second reacting step comprising reacting at least a portion of the first effluent in the presence of a reductive amination catalyst to produce one or more ethyleneamines, wherein said second reacting step forms a second effluent comprising: d) separating the unreacted ammonia and one or more alkylamines from the second effluent; e) separating the unreacted ammonia from the one or more alkylamines; and f) after separating the unreacted ammonia from the one or more alkylamines, recycling the unreacted ammonia so as to be combined with the ethylene oxide in the step of combining ethylene oxide with ammonia.