GB359013A - Improvements in removing phenols from oils, tars and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

Phenol, cresol, xylenol, and other phenols are removed from oils, tars, and the like by treating a mixture of the oil and water in countercurrent column with a descending stream of water. Preferably the mixture, the stream of water, or both are heated to above the critical solution temperature of the phenols in water, i.e. above 63 DEG C. for phenol and above 120 DEG C. for cresols. Residual phenols may be removed by other methods, e.g. extraction with aqueous alcohol. In an example, a fraction boiling up to 200 DEG C. obtained by the hydrogenation of bituminous coal in presence of ferric oxide, and containing 11 per cent of phenols, is mixed with an equal volume of water in the centrifuge at 170 DEG C. and 3-4 atmospheres, and the hot mixture is passed up a coke-filled tower against a stream of 0,5 volume of water at 170 DEG C. and 3-4 atmospheres, the time of contact being 15 minutes. Phenols are separated from the 2-3 per cent aqueous solution passing out at the foot of the tower by cooling and allowing to separate into layers. The lower layer containing 1 per cent of phenols is heated to 170 DEG C. and re-used as solvent.ALSO:Phenol, cresol, xylenol and other phenols are removed from oils, tars, and the like by treating a mixture of the oil and water in countercurrent column with a descending stream of water. Preferably the mixture, the stream of water, or both are heated to above the critical solution temperature of the phenols in water, i.e. above 63 DEG C. for phenol and above 120 DEG C. for cresols. Residual phenols may be removed by other methods, e.g. extraction with aqueous alcohol. In an example, a fraction boiling up to 200 DEG C. obtained by the hydrogenation of bituminous coal in presence of ferric oxide, and containing 11 per cent of phenols, is mixed with an equal volume of water in a centrifuge at 170 DEG C. and 3-4 atmospheres, and the hot mixture is passed up a coke-filled tower against a stream of 0,5 volume of water at 170 DEG C. and 3-4 atmospheres, the time of contact being 15 minutes. Phenols are separated from the 2-3 per cent aqueous solution passing out at the foot of the tower by cooling and allowing to separate into layers. The lower layer containing 1 per cent of phenols is heated to 170 DEG C. and re-used as solvent.