Abstract:
A process for a liquid phase selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in a reaction zone in which acetylene is contacted with hydrogen under hydrogenation conditions and a molar ratio of hydrogen to acetylene in the reaction zone is at least 5, preferably at least 9. A molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is preferably approximately 10. The acetylene is preferably absorbed in a solvent.
Abstract:
A process for a liquid phase selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in a reaction zone. In order to decrease the selectivity to C4+ hydrocarbons, the concentration of acetylene in solvent is lowered by recycling solvent, using a split feed injection, or both. The streams can be split in to equal or unequal portions. A hot separator may be used to separate solvent from the reactor effluent, and the solvent may be recovered and used to decrease the concentration of acetylene in the solvent.