Residual stream upgrading in a propylene oxide-styrene monomer process

摘要

In the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene monomer, there is produced a sodium-containing heavy residue stream previously suitable only as a low grade fuel. In accordance with the invention, the heavy residue stream is contacted with acid having a molar concentration with respect to water above that which corresponds to the product salt solubility limit, and the resulting mixture is phase separated into an aqueous sodium salt-containing slurry phase and an organic phase reduced in sodium.