Batch hydrogenation of furfurol to furfuryl alcohol under pressure - using copper chromite catalyst and lower pressure than usual, giving high yield

摘要

Discontinuous hydrogenation of furfurol (I) to furfuryl alcohol (II) under pressure with Cu chromite catalysts (II) suspended in (I) is carried out for 30-45 min. at 184-210 deg. C and a circulating H2 pressure of 20-50 bar. Appts. has a gas introduction system inside the reactor, which consists of a tube extending from the gas space above the liq. level and rough this, ending in a rotary gas distributor near the bottom of the reactor; and also a heat exchanger inside the reactor. There pref. is also a control cycle to keep the pressure in the reactor constant by regulating the H2 supply according to the pressure in the reactor. USE/ADVANTAGE - Hydrogenation is carried out at much lower pressure than usual and gives a high (II) yield. The process is suitable for operation on the technical scale.