Patent ID: 8101807
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A method for converting glycerol into propylene glycol, the method comprising the steps of: directing a glycerol feed to a feed blending section; combining a base with the glycerol feed in the feed blending section to form a basic glycerol containing feed stream having a pH of about 10 or greater; directing the basic glycerol containing feed stream and a hydrogen containing gas to a hydrogenolysis reaction section including at least one reactor and into contact with a glycerol conversion catalyst loaded in the at least one reactor, wherein the at least one reactor is operating at glycerol conversion conditions effective to form a reaction section product including propylene glycol, and wherein the glycerol conversion conditions include an average catalyst bed temperature of from about 325 to about 375° F. and a reactor pressure of from about 1500 to about 2000 psig; directing the reaction section product including propylene glycol to a separator to form a hydrogen rich separator off gas and a separator liquid product including propylene glycol; and directing the separator liquid product to a purification section and processing the separator liquid in the purification section by the further steps of: