PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A SULPHUR-FREE BUTENE-1 RICH STREAM

摘要

A process is disclosed for producing a substantially sulphur-free, butene-1 rich stream from a butene-containing C4 hydrocarbon feed stream by passage through a desulphurization zone, e.g. successive beds of active alumina and zinc oxide, and then distilling it. The desulphurization zone adsorbs, absorbs or converts to higher boiling sulphurous compounds low boiling sulphurous impurities such as H2S, COS and CH3SH. A sulphur-free butene-1 rich stream is recovered overhead from the distillation zone, while a butene-2 rich stream containing higher boiling sulphurous impurities originally present or produced in the desulphurization zone is recovered as a bottom product. A dechlorination zone (containing, for example, a charge of copper impregnated active carbon) can be provided upstream or downstream from the desulphurization zone but upstream from the distillation zone or can be provided in the path of the butene-1 rich stream from the distillation zone. The butene-1 rich product is suitable for use as a hydroformylation feedstock.