Separation of Butanes and Butylenes by Extractive Distillation with MEK/NFM Mixed Solvent

Abstract:

The feasibility of methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) and N-formylmorpholine (NFM) as combination solvent for separation of butanes and butylenes by extractive distillation was investigated. Based on the thermodynamic studies and laboratory data, five butylenes-enriching plants of 30,000 t/a scale were established. The concentration of butylenes product were 97% (wt%), and the recovery of butylenes achieved was 90%. Antifoam agent was employed to prevent the solvent from foaming and worked effectively. As compared with NFM/MOR (morpholine) solvent system or DMF, MEK/NFM solvent system showed advantages such as low bottom temperature of strip column and low toxicity. Further comparison with ACN (acetonitrile) solvent system indicates that MEK/NFM system presented low residue in top production.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 524-527)
• Pages: 1876-1880
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.524-527.1876
• Online since: May 2012
• Authors: Xiao Li Han, Yong Mei Feng, Wan Zhong Ren, Xiao Ping Chen, Wen You Xu, Wen Hua Wang
• Keywords: Butylenes, Extractive Distillation (ED), MEK, NFM, Separation

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