Process for the removal of impurities from phenol by treatment with at least one acid catalyst

摘要

Acid catalyst treatment of impure phenol produces compounds separable by distillation, following which the phenol is similarly re-treated. The separable compounds arising are removed thermally. The phenol is re-treated with an acid catalyst. Preferred Features: The catalyst is a super-acid, and/or an acid ion exchange resin (A1) is employed. The first treatment is carried out at 100-130 degrees C. A second treatment of the phenol using acid catalyst takes place at less than 100 degrees C. Following the second treatment the separable impurities arising, are separated. Separation is thermal or mechanical. Thermal separation is by fractionation or distillation. A base (c) is added to the phenol following at least one acid catalyst treatment, before thermal separation. The base is sodium hydroxide. During thermal separation, compounds with both lower and higher boiling temperatures than phenol, are separated from it. Thermal energy in the treated phenol, is transferred (recycled) to phenol destined for distillative and/or catalyst treatment.