GB647363A - Improvements in or relating to production of oxygenated organic compounds from olefins - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0647363/IV (b)/1> In the production of oxygenated compounds from olefinic compounds, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in the presence of a carboxylation catalyst, reaction products containing dissolved catalyst metal compounds, and unreacted gases being transferred to a gas-liquid separation zone, the separated liquid products containing metal compounds are recycled to the initial reactor. The pressure on the recycled liquid may be approximately that of the reactor. The liquid may be fed with the fresh feed to the base of the reactor or distributed into different zones thereof. An olefinic feed containing soluble iron or cobalt compounds, e.g. 1-3 per cent cobalt naphthenate, is fed concurrently with a mixture of 0.5-2 vols. of hydrogen to 1 vol. carbon monoxide upwardly through a packed or unpacked reactor at about 250-450 DEG F. and 2500-3500 p.s.i. Liquid products, cooled and separated in a high pressure separator and containing cobalt carbonyl, are recycled in sufficient amount to give adiabatic working, the temperature gradient in the reactor being from about 30-100 DEG F. 300-700 volume per cent based on the fresh olefin feed may be used. Product not recycled is heated at about 300-400 DEG F. to decompose the catalyst to metal while stripping with hydrogen if desired, the gases evolved being converted to methane. It is then hydrogenated to alcohols or oxidized to fatty acids. A modified reactor, Fig. 2, comprises concentric tubes 51, 52, fresh olefin feed being introduced at 53 and synthesis gases at 54. The olefin flows from the bottom of tube 51 through line 55 to the bottom of tube 52 whence it flows concurrently with the gases. Liquid product is taken through line 59, cooled and separated from gas, part being recycled by lines 64, 66.