Patent ID: 8658841
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: C07C,C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol from an alkene comprising steps of: (a) reacting the alkene with oxygen in the presence of an alkylene oxide catalyst in an alkylene oxide reactor to produce a gas composition comprising alkylene oxide, alkene, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, and removing contaminants from the gas composition; (b) supplying the gas composition from step (a) to an alkylene oxide absorber comprising a column of vertically stacked trays or a packed column, supplying a lean absorbent comprising at least 20 wt % water and less than 80 wt % water to the alkylene oxide absorber, contacting the gas composition with the lean absorbent in the alkylene oxide absorber in the presence of one or more catalysts that promote carboxylation and hydrolysis, and withdrawing a fat absorbent that comprises at least one product selected from the group consisting of an alkylene carbonate and an alkylene glycol from the alkylene oxide absorber, wherein at least 50% of the alkylene oxide entering the alkylene oxide absorber is converted in the alkylene oxide absorber; and (c) supplying at least a portion of the fat absorbent to a dehydrator to produce a dehydrated product stream comprising alkylene glycol.