Patent ID: 7799940
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A method of forming dialkyl carbonate comprising: (1) introducing reactants to a reactor having a gaseous head space and a liquid body space, the reactants comprising alkanol, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and a catalyst, the reactor operating under conditions to form dialkyl carbonate and water, (2) introducing a separate stream comprising oxygen to the head space of the reactor such that the head space comprises an oxygen content of between 0.10 mole % and 1.00 mole %, (3) removing a product stream from the head space of the reactor, the product stream comprising dialkyl carbonate, water, oxygen, and residual reactants, (4) introducing the product stream to a cyclonic separation device to produce a liquid bottom stream and a gaseous top stream, (5) capturing and introducing the liquid bottom stream from the cyclonic separation device to the reactor, wherein the gaseous top stream contains product dialkyl carbonate.