REDUCTION OF THE VISCOSITY OF REACTIVE HEAVY BYPRODUCTS DURING THE PRODUCTION OF 1,3-PROPANEDIOL

摘要

The present invention is an improvement upon the process for the production of 1,3-propanediol wherein an aqueous solution of 3-hydroxy propanal is formed, catalyst, if any, used in said formation is removed from the solution, sodiu m hydroxide is added to the solution to neutralize any acid therein such that the pH is at least 5, the neutralized aqueous solution is subjected to hydrogenation to produce a crude 1,3-propanediol mixture which is distilled to produce 1,3-propanediol, water, and reactive heavy components. The improveme nt on this process comprises replacing the sodium hydroxide with a hydroxide selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydroxides other than sodium hydroxide, and alkaline earth metal hydroxides to reduce the viscosity of the reactive heavy components.