Claims
- 1. A process for enhancing ether synthesis activity of an olefin hydration catalyst comprising the steps of:
- contacting an olefin feed with water in an olefin hydration zone with an olefin hydration catalyst comprising zeolite beta and a zirconia binder whereby said olefin hydration conditions reduce the acidic activity of the catalyst;
- recovering a product stream containing alcohols and ethers from said olefin hydration zone;
- regenerating said catalyst in one-stage under conditions of elevated temperatures ranging from about 150.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C. and pressure below about 800 psig by passing a hydrogen gas stream over said catalyst;
- terminating the hydrogen regenerating step; and resuming contact of the olefin hydration catalyst with the olefin feed and water, the catalyst having enhanced ether synthesis activity.
- 2. The process of claim 1 in which the olefin feed comprises propylene.
- 3. The process of claim 1 in which the regeneration condition of pressure ranges from 0 to 800 psig.
- 4. The process of claim 1 in which the regeneration condition of pressure is from about 0 to 600 psig.
- 5. The process of claim 1 in which the regeneration condition of pressure is from about 100 to 400 psig.
- 6. The process of claim 1 in which the olefin feed is a mixture of olefins containing from two to seven carbon atoms.
- 7. The process of claim 1 in which the olefin feed contains at least one olefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene and heptene.
- 8. The process of claim 1 in which the olefin feed is a gas plant off-gas containing light olefins.
- 9. The process of claim 1 in which the hydrogen gas stream comprises a hydrogen recycle stream.
- 10. The process of claim 9 in which the hydrogen gas stream further comprises a fresh hydrogen gas stream.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/897,156, filed on Jun. 11, 1992, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, now abandoned. The benefit of the filing date of Ser. No. 07/897,156 is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120.
Ser. No. 07/897,156 is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 557,241, filed on Jul. 25, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,591, which issued on Nov. 10, 1992.
Ser. No. 07/897,156 is also a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 794,634, filed on Nov. 18, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,102, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 577,242, filed on Jul. 25, 1990, and now abandoned.
Cross reference is made to Ser. No. 07/798,017 filed on Nov. 20, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,084 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
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3422348 |
Dec 1985 |
DEX |
01660 |
Feb 1929 |
WOX |
01661 |
Feb 1992 |
WOX |
Continuations (1)
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Date |
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Parent |
557242 |
Jul 1990 |
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Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
897156 |
Jun 1992 |
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Parent |
557241 |
Jul 1990 |
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