MINIMIZATION OF CATALYST LOSS DURING MANUFACTURE OF ALCOHOL

摘要

PURPOSE: To efficiently recover a cobalt catalyst by increasing the concn. of carbon dioxide in a reaction product and the concn. of carbon dioxide in an oil water phase by temp. adjustment to promote the formation of cobalt carbonate. CONSTITUTION: The concn. of carbon dioxide in an oil-water mixed reaction product of cobalt catalyzed oxonation is increased by adjusting the temp. of the reaction product and the concn. of carbon dioxide in an oil water phase is also increased to promote the formation of cobalt carbonate. This cobalt carbonate is allowed to settle and cobalt is recovered from the reaction product. The concn. of carbon dioxide is preferably increased by allowing 1-3 vol.% carbon dioxide to exist in a fresh synthesis gas supplied to oxonation. The settled cobalt carbonate is reused as an oxonation catalyst.