Process for producing 1,3-propanediol

摘要

Disclosed herein is a process for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The first phase is removed from the separated second phase and is contacted with at least one hydrophobic solvent to form a second mixture. The second mixture is separated into a third phase and a fourth phase. The third phase comprises the majority of both the solvent extractant and the hydrophobic solvent. The fourth phase comprises 1,3-propanediol and the majority of the water of the first phase. The weight ratio in the fourth phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant.