Technology Unit

: Extractive Distillation Column
: BASF Dow HPPO
Short Name: ED Column
Description: The diluted PO Bottom Stream from the Crude PO Column is processed by extractive distillation, using water as the Extractor (or in another embodiment, Propylene Glycol) to separate PO from Methanol. PO is distilled overhead from the Extractive Column as Top Stream, while the Bottom Stream contains Methanol and Water. The energy integration of the Column is one important issue of the patents; the Vapors of the Top Stream are compressed, and the condensation heat is returned to the Vaporizer employed in the Extractive Distillation Column.
Link: https://www.drdarrinlew.us/sustainable-chemistry-2/from-the-dream-reaction-to-the-real-process-the-implemented-hppo-process.html