Patent GB-598603-A (GB)
Title: Improved process for the separation and concentration of olefins
IPC: C07C7/11
Filed: 1945-06-18
Abstract: Aqueous cuprous salt solutions used for concentrating olefins and diolefins, and contaminated with acetylenic polymerization products, are regenerated by treating with finely-divided, insoluble, adsorptive materials such as natural and synthetic silicates of metals of Groups 2 and 3, especially magnesium and aluminium silicates, diatomaceous earths, clays, charcoals, activated carbon, and ion exchange substances such as resins known as amberlites, and zeolites.  Activated alumina and silica gel are less efficient. Cuprous salt solutions containing ammonia, for example 2-5 mols cuprous copper, 10.5-12 mols ammonia, 4 mols acetic acid, and having a pH of 10.5-12.5 may be used to separate butadiene from C, cuts containing acetylene The solution, preferably after desorption of butadiene, is heated to polymerize the acetylenes, and the polymers removed by settling, washing or filtering.  Soluble polymers, however, remain in the solution and have foaming and emulsifying tendencies.  Examples illustrate the reduction of surface tension of used cuprous ammonium acetate solutions by treating with the adsorbent materials either by slurrying with the hot or cold solution, filtering the solution using a filter coated with the adsorbent or circulating the solution through a tower containing the adsorbent.  Regeneration of spent adsorbent is effected by washing with aqueous ammonia followed by treatment with high temperature steam or burning. Other Examples describe foaming and emulsification tests for comparing the effect of the above and various proprietary adsorbents.ALSO:Aqueous cuprous salt solutions used for concentrating olefins and diolefins, and contaminated with acetylenic polymerization products, are regenerated by treating with finely divided, insoluble, adsorptive materials such as natural and synthetic silicates of metals of Groups 2 and 3, especially magnesium and aluminium silicates, diatomaceous earths, clays, charcoals, activated carbon, and ion exchange substances such as resins known as amberlites, and zeolites.  Activated alumina and silica gel are less efficient.  Cuprous salt solutions containing ammonia, for example 2-5 mols cuprous copper, 10.5-12 mols ammonia, 4 mols acetic acid, and having a pH of 10.5-12.5 may be used to separate butadiene from C4 cuts containing acetylenes.  The solution, preferably after desorption of butadiene, is heated to polymerize the acetylene, and the polymers removed by settling, washing or filtering.  Soluble polymers, however, remain in the solution and have foaming and emulsifying tendencies.  Examples illustrate the reduction of surface tension of used cuprous ammonium acetate solutions by treating with the adsorbent materials either by slurrying with the hot or cold solution, filtering the solution using a filter coated with the adsorbent or circulating the solution through a tower containing the adsorbent.  Regeneration of spent adsorbent is effected by washing with aqueous ammonia followed by treatment with high-temperature steam or burning. Other examples describe foaming and emulsification tests for comparing the effect of the above and various proprietary adsorbents.