David James Daum

US Patent:

6720461, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Dec 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/728275

Inventors:

Edgar Donald Allan - Katy TX
Roberto Carlos Longoria - Houston TX
David Werner Daum - Seabrook TX
Robert Lawrence Blackbourn - Houston TX

Assignee:

Shell Oil Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

C07C 3768

US Classification:

568754

Abstract:

There is provided a process for the manufacture of phenolic compounds by separating a neutralized aralkyl hydroperoxide cleavage mass stream containing salts of neutralization into a crude ketone stream and a crude phenolic stream containing the salts of neutralization; separating the crude phenolic stream into a concentrated phenolic-rich stream, enriched in phenolic compounds, and a crude phenolic bottoms stream enriched in tars and alpha methyl styrene dimers, each compared to the crude phenolic stream, said crude phenolic bottoms stream containing salts of neutralization; to the crude phenolic bottoms stream, adding water and a diluent composition, thereby forming a phase separable crude phenolic bottoms stream, said diluent composition comprised of hydrocarbons phase compatible with the crude phenolic bottoms stream and having a combined density lower than the density of the crude phenolic bottoms stream; separating the separable crude phenolic bottoms stream into a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase containing salts of neutralization; whereby the amount of salts of neutralization in the hydrocarbon phase is reduced compared to the amount of salts of neutralization present prior to separation.

US Patent:

6965056, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

May 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/304298

Inventors:

Edgar Donald Allan - Katy TX, US
Roberto Carlos Longoria - Houston TX, US
David Werner Daum - Seabrook TX, US
Robert Lawrence Blackbourn - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Shell Oil Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

C07C037/68

US Classification:

568754, 568768

Abstract:

There is provided a process for the manufacture of phenolic compounds by separating a neutralized aralkyl hydroperoxide cleavage mass stream containing salts of neutralization into a crude ketone stream and a crude phenolic stream containing the salts of neutralization; separating the crude phenolic stream into a concentrated phenolic-rich stream, enriched in phenolic compounds, and a crude phenolic bottoms stream enriched in tars and alpha methyl styrene dimers, each compared to the crude phenolic stream, said crude phenolic bottoms stream containing salts of neutralization; to the crude phenolic bottoms stream, adding water and a diluent composition, thereby forming a phase separable crude phenolic bottoms stream, said diluent composition comprised of hydrocarbons phase compatible with the crude phenolic bottoms stream and having a combined density lower than the density of the crude phenolic bottoms stream; separating the separable crude phenolic bottoms stream into a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase containing salts of neutralization; whereby the amount of salts of neutralization in the hydrocarbon phase is reduced compared to the amount of salts of neutralization present prior to separation.