Patent ID: 6555720
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A method of producing 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BG) in a hydrolysis reaction, comprising the steps of:supplying at least 1,4-diacetoxybutane (1,4-DAB), 1,4-hydroxyacetoxybutane (1,4-HAB), and water (H2O) to at least one reactor; reacting said 1,4-DAB, 1,4-HAB and H2O to produce an effluent stream comprising 1,4-BG, 1,4-HAB, H2O and acetic acid; supplying said effluent stream to a separation system having at least one separator wherein said H2O and acetic acid are separated in a purge stream, and at least one product stream is produced comprising 1,4-HAB and 1,4-BG, wherein the following equations are satisfied: Min&lE;Var&lE;Max where Max=(7.59Dâˆ’0.76)/n Min=(3.79Dâˆ’2.00)/n Var=B/A D=174(C)/90(A) and where A is the feed rate of 1,4-DAB to the reaction system in kg/hr; B is the feed rate of fresh 1,4-HAB to the reaction system plus the total amount of 1,4-HAB recycled to the reaction system in kg/hr; C is the amount of 1,4-BG produced by the reaction system, and n is the number of reactors within the reaction system; and wherein the one or more product stream is substantially comprised of 1,4-BG.