Patent ID: 7365220
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: C07F

Abstract:
1. A process for separating the components in a process stream resulting from the Direct Reaction Process of silicon metal with an alkanol for making alkoxysilanes, which comprises: a) introducing the process stream from the Direct Reaction Process to a separation unit possessing a separation membrane having a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the process stream includes a mixture of alkoxysilane(s), alkanol(s) and optionally alkanol/alkoxysilane azeotropes; b) contacting the process stream from the Direct Reaction Process with the first surface of the separation membrane whereby one or more components of the mixture of alkoxysilane(s), alkanol(s) and optionally alkanol/alkoxysilane azeotropes selectively absorb into the first surface and permeate therethrough to the second surface under the influence of a concentration gradient across the membrane thereby separating the mixture into an alkanol-enriched permeate fraction and an alkanol-deficient retentate fraction or an alkoxysilane-enriched permeate fraction and an alkoxysilane-deficient retentate fraction; and, c) recovering the permeate fraction and the retention fraction.