PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ALKYLENE GLYCOL

摘要

The invention provides a process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol from an alkene. The gas composition from an alkylene oxide reactor is contacted with lean absorbent in an alkylene oxide absorber in the presence of one or more catalysts that promote carboxylation. The lean absorbent comprises at least 50wt% alkylene carbonate and less than 10wt% water and is supplied to the alkylene oxide absorber at a temperature greater than 60°C. Alkylene oxide reacts with carbon dioxide in the absorber, forming alkylene carbonate, and fat absorbent comprising alkylene carbonate is withdrawn from the absorber. A portion of the fat absorbent is supplied to one or more hydrolysis reactors, wherein alkylene carbonate reacts with water in the presence of one or more hydrolysis catalysts. The product stream from the hydrolysis reactor is dehydrated and purified.