Continuous methods and reactor used for the production of alkylamines

Abstract

In the continuous process for preparing alkylamines by reacting C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase in the presence of a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst in a cooled reactor, the shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst is present in a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and tubes through which coolants are passed run within the fixed bed to regulate the temperature of the fixed bed.

1 . A continuous process for preparing alkylamines by reacting C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase in the presence of a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst in a cooled reactor, wherein the shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst is present in a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and tubes through which coolants are passed run within the fixed bed to regulate the temperature of the fixed bed.  
   
   
       2 . A process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein cooling is carried out by means of boiling water cooling.  
   
   
       3 . A process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the coolant is from 40 to 220 bar and the pressure in the fixed catalyst bed is from 10 to 50 bar.  
   
   
       4 . A reactor for the reaction of C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase for preparing alkylamines, which comprises a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst which is present as a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run.  
   
   
       5 . canceled  
   
   
       6 . A continuous process for preparing alkylamines by reacting C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase in the presence of a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst in a reactor, wherein part of the C 1-4 -alkanols, the ammonia or mixtures thereof is introduced in liquid form into the reactor in such a way that vaporization takes place on the fixed catalyst bed.  
   
   
       7 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A continuous process for preparing alkylamines by reacting C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase in the presence of a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst in a reactor, wherein 30-90% of the C 1-4 -alkanols, the ammonia or mixtures thereof introduced into the reactor is fed into the fixed catalyst bed at least one point at which a previously reacted reaction mixture of C 1-4 -alkanols and ammonia which has a temperature higher than that of the C 1-4 -alkanols, ammonia or mixtures thereof fed in is present.  
   
   
       12 . A continuous process for preparing alkylamines by reacting C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase in the presence of a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst in a reactor, wherein a heat transfer medium which is inert toward the C 1-4 -alkanols and ammonia and the reaction products and/or does not significantly affect the activity and selectivity of the catalyst is additionally fed into the fixed catalyst bed by addition to the reactor feed mixture.  
   
   
       13 . A process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the heat transfer medium is or comprises water.  
   
   
       14 . A process as claimed in  claim 11  carried out in a reactor for the reaction of C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase for preparing alkylamines, which comprises a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst which is present as a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run.  
   
   
       15 . A process as claimed in  claim 6  carried out in a reactor for the reaction of C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase for preparing alkylamines, which comprises a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst which is present as a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run.  
   
   
       16 . A process as claimed in  claim 12  carried out in a reactor for the reaction of C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase for preparing alkylamines, which comprises a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst which is present as a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run.  
   
   
       17 . A process as claimed in  claim 11  carried out in a reactor for the reaction of C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase for preparing alkylamines, which comprises a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst which is present as a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run, wherein the C 1-4 -alkanols, ammonia or mixtures thereof introduced into the reactor are fed in radially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor.  
   
   
       18 . A process as claimed in  claim 6  carried out in a reactor for the reaction of C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase for preparing alkylamines, which comprises a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst which is present as a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run, wherein the C 1-4 -alkanols, ammonia or mixtures thereof introduced into the reactor are fed in radially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor.  
   
   
       19 . A process as claimed in  claim 12  carried out in a reactor for the reaction of C 1-4 -alkanols with ammonia in the gas phase for preparing alkylamines, which comprises a shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst which is present as a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run, wherein the C 1-4 -alkanols, ammonia or mixtures thereof introduced into the reactor are fed in radially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor.