Patent GB-586615-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the separation of acetylene from mixtures containing the same
IPC: C07C7/11
Filed: 1944-10-25
Abstract: Acetylene and butadiene are separated from other hydrocarbons by passing an ammoniacal cuprous solution containing butadiene and acetylene dissolved therein into the upper part of a packed tower, allowing the cuprous solution to pass through the packed tower in counter-current flow to a gas obtained by heating the cuprous solution to a temperature varying from 150-170 DEG F. e.g., 155 DEG F. as it leaves the tower, passing the cuprous solution obtained from the first tower to the upper part of a second tower at said temperature 150-170 DEG F., where it is passed in countercurrent flow to a gas obtained by withdrawing the cuprous solution from the lower portion of the second tower, heating said solution to a temperature varying from 170-190 DEG F. and returning it to the bottom of the second tower and withdrawing a gas from the mid-section of the second tower which gas contains about 8 per cent. of acetylene and 2 per cent. of butadiene, washing the ammonia from the said gas with water and recovering substantially pure acetylene and butadiene. Alternatively one tower alone may be used comprising an upper desorption zone wherein the cuprous solution is heated to a temperature below 170 DEG F. and a lower desorption zone wherein the cuprous salt solution is heated to a temperature of 180-190 DEG F. and vapours rich in acetylene and containing only a minor proportion of butadiene are withdrawn at an intermediate level at which the temperature is about 170 DEG F. Specifications 547,730 and 574,839, [both in Group IV], are referred to.ALSO:Acetylene and butadiene are separated by passing an ammoniacal cuprous solution containing butadiene and acetylene dissolved therein into the upper part of a packed tower, allowing the cuprous solution to pass through the packed tower in counter-current flow to a gas obtained by heating the cuprous solution to a temperature ranging from 150-170 DEG  F., e.g. 155 DEG  F. as it leaves that tower, passing the cuprous solution obtained from the first tower to the upper portion of a second tower at the said temperature of 150-170 DEG  F., where it is passed in countercurrent flow to a gas obtained by withdrawing the cuprous solution from the lower portion of the second tower, heating said solution to a temperature ranging from 170-190 DEG  F., returning it to the bottom of the second tower, withdrawing a gas from the mid-section of the second tower which gas contains about 8 per cent of acetylene and 2 per cent of butadiene and ammonia, washing the ammonia from said gas with water and recovering substantially pure acetylene and butadiene.  Alternatively one tower alone may be used comprising an upper desorption zone wherein the cuprous salt solution is heated to a temperature below 170 DEG  F. and a lower desorption zone wherein the cuprous salt solution is heated to a temperature of 180-190 DEG  F. and vapours rich in acetylene and containing only a minor proportion of butadiene are withdrawn at an intermediate level at which the temperature is about 170 DEG  F. Specifications 547,730 and 574,839 are referred to.