Catalytic Vapor-Phase Hydration of Ethylene

Abstract

THE present investigation was undertaken as part of a general program of research in this laboratory dealing with the equilibrium conditions in organic chemical reactions of present or possible future industrial importance. Large quantities of ethylene and other olefins are available in refinery gases, and other large potential sources exist.Conversion of some of the higher olefins to the corresponding alcohols by the sulfuric acid absorption process has been practiced on a commercial scale for some time, and the conversion of ethylene by a similar process has just recently been accom-

Vapor-Phase Hydration of Ethylene

“…gives KP = 1.06 X 10~3 at 380°C. in almost exact agreement with Sanders and Dodge's average value (7).…”

“…high so that equilibrium was not approached. The apparatus adopted for measuring the extent of dehydration was essentially the same as that used by Huffman and Dodge (S) and Sanders and Dodge (7). Ethanol was boiled in an adiabatic boiler, so arranged that all heat of vaporization was supplied by an electric coil which allowed an easy calibration of alcohol vaporized vs. coil current.…”

“…Carbon dioxide, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and in some cases hydrogen and hydrocarbons, were also determined. The liquid condensate, freed from any nonaqueous layer, was analyzed for ethanol and water by the method of Sanders and Dodge (7).…”

Equilibria in the hydration of ethylene at elevated pressures and temperatures

“…For most of these investigations K , can be assumed equal to K,, since the pressure was sufficiently low. The results of Sanders and Dodge (44) and of Mace and Ronilla (29)* have also been included for the sake of completeness, even though both these studies were made at pressures of about 70 atm. The solid line on the graph represents valnes of equilibrium constant calculated from thermal data hy using standard procedures.…”

Catalysts for the Equilibrium, Ethylene-water-Ethanol

“…More recent investigations covering catalyst selection and free energy determinations are those of Sanders and Dodge (11), Stanley, Youell, and Dymock (12), Gilliland, Gunness, and Bowles (S), and Bliss and Dodge (1).…”