IES991062A2

IES991062A2 - A process for removing a pyrophoric catalyst

Info

Publication number: IES991062A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: William Tully
Original assignee: Warner Lambert Res & Dev Ie
Priority date: 1999-12-17
Filing date: 1999-12-17
Publication date: 2000-10-18

Abstract

A new method of removing a spent pyrophoric reaction catalyst from a reaction mixture, safely, cheaply and rapidly using a single plate pressure filter comprises a process wherein, after hydrogenation, the reaction mixture is decanted, the desired hydrogenation product is removed and catalyst rich material which settles at the bottom of the vessel is delivered to a single plate pressure filter. The spent catalyst is retained in the filter bag and stored under water awaiting recovery. Also provided is a filter apparatus (1) which comprises a domed base (2), a generally cylindrical sidewall (3) terminating in an upper rim (4) closed by a lid (5) having lifting lugs (6). The lid (5) is fixed in pressure-tight engagement with the sidewall (3) by flange engaging screw clamps (7) and an embedded polytetrafluoroethene gasket (8). <Figure 5>

Description

“A PROCESS FOR REMOVING A PYROPHORIC CATALYST” A new method of removing a spent pyrophoric reaction catalyst from a reaction mixture, safely, cheaply and rapidly using a single plate pressure filter comprises a process wherein, after hydrogenation, the reaction mixture is decanted, the desired hydrogenation product is removed and catalyst rich material which settles at the bottom of the vessel is delivered to a single plate pressure filter. The spent catalyst is retained in the filter bag and stored under water awaiting recovery. Also provided is a filter apparatus (1) which comprises a domed base (2), a generally cylindrical sidewall (3) terminating in an upper rim (4) closed by a lid (5) having lifting lugs (6). The lid (5) is fixed in pressure-tight engagement with the sidewall (3) by flange engaging screw clamps (7) and an embedded polytetrafluoroethene gasket (8).

Claims

1. A batch process for carrying out a hydrogenation reaction comprising the steps ofimixing a pyrophoric catalyst with reactants and solvents to form a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel; adding hydrogen to the reaction vessel; after hydrogenation, removing the desired hydrogenation product from the reaction vessel; delivering the pyrophoric catalyst-rich material from the reaction vessel to a pressure filter; adding water to the pyrophoric catalyst-rich material in the filter; and removing the spent pyrophoric material from the pressure filter in a water wet form.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure filter is a single plate pressure filter, the catalyst being held in the filter in a wet form, typically the catalyst is Raney Nickel.

3. A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the contents of the reaction vessel are decanted after hydrogenation, desired hydrogenation product being substantially removed while allowing the catalyst-rich material to settle in the bottom of the vessel. IE9 9 1 0 62 WARN08/C/IES -84. A process as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the reaction vessel is an agitated vessel, the agitator being stopped to allow the catalyst to settle at the bottom of the vessel, preferably the process includes the step of washing the catalyst-rich material in the filter with a solvent to recover

4. 5 residual desired hydrogenation product.

5. A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pressure filter is fitted with a removable filter bag, preferably the water wet catalyst is removed from the bag for reuse of the bag.