Continuous methods and reacator 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 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A continuous process for preparing alkylamines which comprises 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 which comprises 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 . The process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the heat transfer medium comprises water. 
     
     
         14 . The process as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst is a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run. 
     
     
         15 . The process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst is a single contiguous fixed bed in the reactor and through whose interior tubes through which a coolant can be passed run. 
     
     
         16 . The process as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst 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. 
     
     
         17 . The process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said shape-selective fixed-bed catalyst 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 . The process as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the reactor has an inlet and an outlet and the difference between the outlet and inlet temperature is less than 60° C. 
     
     
         19 . The process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the reactor has an inlet and an outlet and the difference between the outlet and inlet temperature is less than 60° C. 
     
     
         20 . The process as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the reactor has an inlet and an outlet and the difference between the outlet and inlet temperature is less than 35° C. 
     
     
         21 . The process as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the reactor has an inlet and an outlet and the difference between the outlet and inlet temperature is less than 35° C.