Patent ID: 6294689
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: B01D,B01J,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of removing catalyst from a mixture comprising the catalyst and water, the mixture having been formed after reaction of a hydrocarbon with an oxidant to form an intermediate oxidation product at an operation temperature, in the presence of the catalyst, and water at a first water level, the method being characterized by steps:(a) changing the operation temperature to a temperature at or above a precipitation temperature, at which and over which precipitation temperature, the catalyst in the mixture would precipitate, at least partially, if the water level in the mixture had been reduced to or under a precipitation water level;(b) removing an adequate amount of water from the mixture, in order to bring the water level to or under the precipitation water level, thereby causing the catalyst to precipitate, at least partially; and(c) removing the precipitated catalyst from the rest of the mixture.