GB309708A - Improvements in the recovery of methanol - Google Patents

Abstract

309,708. Ward, W. J. V., and Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. March 21, 1928. Methanol.-Methanol obtained by the catalytic hydroseaatMn of oxides of carbon is purified by treatment with a s,alting-out solution and a solvent for hydrocarbons which is substantially immiscible with the mixture of methanol and salting-out solution. The solvent for hydrocarbons mav be a hydrocarbon such as benzene. In one example, a methanol traction is distilled from the product obtained by passing a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure over a catalyst comprising zinc, chromium, and manganese oxides. The distillate is treated with brine and benzene, the benzene iayer is removed, and the extraction is repeated with a further amount oi benzene. The methanal is then distilled off from the brine, the main bulk of distillate being collected separately from the first runnings, which are impure. The benzene may be purified by distillation and used again. In another example, a mixture of impure synthetic methanol and benzene is treated, with brine in a column, impure benzene being taken off at the head of the column and a brinemethanol mixture at the base.