Removal of phenols from phenol-containing streams

摘要

Disclosed is a process for recovering phenols from phenol-containing streams having at least a sufficient amount of water. The stream is contacted with a metal composition comprised of one or more oxides and/or hydroxides of metals capable of forming a metal phenate with the phenols of the stream. The resulting metal phenates are separated from the stream and are treated with steam at a temperature from about 250 DEG C. to about 450 DEG C., thereby producing phenols, and hydroxides of the metals of the phenate.