Azeotrope compositions comprising 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride and uses thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein are azeotrope and near-azeotrope compositions comprising E-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (E-HFC-1225ye) and hydrogen fluoride. The azeotrope and near-azeotrope compositions are useful in processes to produce and in processes to purify E-HFC-1225ye and/or Z-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (Z-HFC-1225ye). Also disclosed are processes for the extractive distillation to separate E-HFC-1225ye from Z-HFC-1225ye.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A process for the separation of E-HFC-1225ye from a mixture comprising an azeotrope composition of E-HFC-1225ye and hydrogen fluoride, said process comprising:
 a. subjecting said mixture to a first distillation step in which a composition enriched in either (i) hydrogen fluoride or (ii) E-HFC-1225ye is removed as a first distillate composition with a first bottoms composition being enriched in the other of said components (i) or (ii); and   b. subjecting said first distillate composition to a second distillation step conducted at a different pressure than the first distillation step in which the component enriched as first bottoms composition in (a) is removed in a second distillate composition with a second bottoms composition enriched in the same component which was enriched in the first distillate composition.   
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 23  wherein said first bottoms composition comprises E-HFC-1225ye essentially free of hydrogen fluoride. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 23  wherein said second bottoms composition comprises hydrogen fluoride essentially free of E-HFC-1225ye. 
     
     
         26 . A process for separating E-HFC-1225ye from a mixture comprising hydrogen fluoride and E-HFC-1225ye, said process comprising:
 a. contacting a first composition comprising E-HFC-1225ye and hydrogen fluoride with an entraining agent to form a second composition;   b. distilling the second composition thereby separating E-HFC-1225ye from hydrogen fluoride and entraining agent; and   c. recovering E-HFC-1225ye product essentially free of hydrogen fluoride.   
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 26 , wherein the entraining agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, fluoroethers, HFPO, chlorine, hexafluoroacetone, methyl chloride, PMVE, PEVE, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         28 . A process for separating E-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (E-HFC-1225ye) from a first mixture comprising E-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (E-HFC-1225ye) and Z-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (Z-HFC-1225ye), comprising the steps of:
 a contacting said first mixture with at least one extractive agent, to form a second mixture, distilling said second mixture, and   b. recovering E-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (E-HFC-1225ye) essentially free of Z-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (Z-HFC-1225zc).   
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 28 , wherein the extractive agent is selected from the group consisting of cyclic hydrocarbon ethers, non-cyclic hydrocarbon ethers, alcohols and ketones. 
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 28  wherein said at least one extractive agent is selected from the group consisting of furan, tetrahydrofuran (THF), ethylene oxide, propylene oxide (1,2-epoxypropane), oxetane, tetrahydropyran, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, butyl methyl ether, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, acetone and butanone. 
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 30  wherein said extractive agent is tetrahydrofuran (THF).