US4804791A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Alcohols production by hydrogenation of carboxylic acids
Assignee: BP Chemicals Ltd
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Filing: 1988-01-29
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Granted: 1989-02-14
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Expires: 2008-01-29
Abstract
Abstract Ethanol is produced from acetic acid or propanol is produced from propionic acid by contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapor phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst comprising as essential components (i) a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and (II) rhenium, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.
Inventors
- 👤 Melanie Kitson
- 👤 Peter S. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:25
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C29/00; C07C29/132; C07C29/136; C07C29/147; C07C29/149; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S502/00; Y10S502/525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A process for the production of either ethanol from acetic acid or propanol from propionic acid which process comprises contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapour phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst comprising as essential components (i) a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and (ii) rhenium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for the production of either ethanol from acetic acid or propanol from propionic acid which process comprises contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapour phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst comprising as essential components (i) a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and (ii) rhenium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the noble metal of Group VIII is palladium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the noble metal of Group VIII is ruthenium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst is supported.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the support is a high surface area graphitised carbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the support is a silica.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst is modified by incorporation of a metal of Group IA of the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the modifying metal is potassium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst is activated before use by contact at elevated temperatsure with either hydrogen or a hydrogen/inert gas mixture at a temperature in the range from 200 ° to 350° C. for a period of from 1 to 20 hours.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst is activated by heating to the reaction temperature in the presence of reactants.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises palladium and rhenium supported on a high surface area graphitised carbon wherein the average palladium crystalline size is in the range from 30 to 99.9 Angstroms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A process for the production of either ethanol from acetic acid or propanol from propionic acid which process essentially consists of contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapour phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst which essentially consists of as essential components (i) palladium or ruthenium, (ii) rhenium, and (iii) potassium, wherein the catalyst is supported on a high surface area graphitised carbon, wherein there is from 0.1 to 10% by weight of component (i), wherein there is from 0.1 to 20% by weight component (ii), and wherein there is from 0.1 to 20% by weight component (iii), with these component weights being based upon the total weight of catalyst.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
A process for the production of either ethanol from acetic acid or propanol from propionic acid which process essentially consists of contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapour phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst which essentially consists of as essential components (i) palladium or ruthenium, (ii) rhenium, and (iii) potassium, wherein the catalyst is supported on a high surface area graphitised carbon, wherein there is from 0.1 to 10% by weight of component (i), wherein there is from 0.1 to 20% by weight component (ii), and wherein there is from 0.1 to 20% by weight component (iii), with these component weights being based upon the total weight of catalyst.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2340922A1
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GB1534232A
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US4104478A
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US4338221A
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FR2505819A1
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US4443639A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-14 | 1992-08-15 | 1993-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-14 | 1996-08-15 | 1997-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-14 | 2000-08-15 | 2001-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |