| 摘要 |
An improved process for the production of oxides from hydrocarbons by reaction with oxygen, air or a gas enriched in oxygen relative to air, preferably the latter, in the presence of a suitable catalyst. An alkane, e.g. propane, is converted to an alkene in a catalytic dehydrogenator. The product stream is introduced into an oxidation reactor. Product formed therein is recovered in a conventional quench tower. The pressure of the gaseous effluent from the quench tower is raised and it is introduced into an absorber/stripper unit to form a recycle stream containing unreacted alkane and alkene as well as a minor amount of oxygen, typically 1-2 percent by volume, and a waste stream comprising the remainder of the quench tower gaseous phase. The recycle stream enters a selective oxidation unit wherein oxygen is removed, and the product recycled to the dehydrogenator. Flammability of the quench tower gaseous effluent and the waste stream from the absorber/stripper is minimized by assuring that the nonflammability index (NFI) thereof is within certain limits. Desired NFI, related to the total hydrocarbon content, may be achieved by the addition thereto of a gaseous flame suppressor. The gaseous flame suppressor, removed with the absorber/stripper unit waste stream, may advantageously be combusted to provide energy. A PSA unit may remove excess hydrogen from the dehydrogenator effluent. The dehydrogenator may be a multistage dehydrogenator.
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