GB893524A - Method of removing dissolved cobalt compounds from the products of cobalt-catalysed reactions - Google Patents

Abstract

In syntheses of organic oxygen-containing products using mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen and a cobalt catalyst, dissolved cobalt compounds are removed from the products by passing a gas mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen through the product at between 140 DEG C. and 240 DEG C. with a hydrogen partial pressure of at least 10 atmospheres, and with a carbon monoxide pressure above 10 atmospheres sufficient to prevent decomposition of the cobalt compounds to metallic cobalt. The cobalt content is volatilized and removed by the emergent gases. The syntheses of aldehydes, including the 'oxo' synthesis, and alcohols from olefinic hydrocarbons, and of homologue alcohols from alcohol, are mentioned, and cracked <FORM:0893524/IV (b)/1> <FORM:0893524/IV (b)/2> <FORM:0893524/IV (b)/3> <FORM:0893524/IV (b)/4> <FORM:0893524/IV (b)/5> petroleum products with 20% olefine content and a boiling range of 190 DEG C. to 220 DEG C., and containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a proportion by volume of 2 : 1, and one with a boiling range of 90 DEG C. to 100 DEG C. are used in examples for direct syntheses of alcohol. The added gas mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen may include nitrogen, methane and carbon dioxide as impurities and water gas may be used. The gas mixture containing the gaseous cobalt compounds may be freed from cobalt and recycled, or can be returned as a catalyst solution to the synthesis reaction directly, or after contacting in countercurrent with a recycled portion of the condensate. Systems are described for the continuous or discontinuous operation of the process, (1) in which the decobaltification reactor 2, is in circuit with a cooler 13, and a pressurised separator 14 for the cobalt containing liquid. (Fig. 1), (2) for the recycling of the gas mixture and the cobalt-containing condensate as the catalyst solution to a synthesis reactor 10 (Fig. 2) (3) for the use of a gas mixture for the decobaltification of the same composition as used in the synthesis (Fig. 3), and (4) for two alternative methods for the enrichment of the cobalt containing condensate before re-introduction to the reaction zone, either continuously or discontinuously, (Figs. 4 and 5). Specification 667,824 is referred to.