IP Library Granted Patent US 8,747,691
Granted Patent B2
US 8,747,691 · App. 13/082,980 · Granted Jun 10, 2014

Azeotrope-like compositions of tetrafluoropropene and water

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,747,691
App. No.
13/082,980
Granted
Jun 10, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze(E)) and water. Such azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions are useful in isolating trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from impurities during production. Azeotropes of the instant invention are similarly useful in final compositions or for the manufacture of final compositions, such as blowing agent, propellants, refrigerants, diluents for gaseous sterilization and the like.

Claims (24)

1. An azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of from about 73 to about 99.9 weight percent trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze(E)) and from about 0.1 to about 27 weight percent water.

2. The composition of claim 1 , consisting of water and trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein water is provided in an amount from about 1 to about 27 weight percent and HFO-1234ze(E) is provided in an amount from about 73 to about 99 weight percent.

4. The composition of claim 1 , having a boiling point of about −19° C. ±0.5° C. at a pressure of about 14.3 psia ±2 psia.

5. The composition of claim 1 , having a boiling point of about −19.3 ° C. at a pressure of about 14.3 psia.

6. The composition of claim 1 , having a boiling point of about −19° C. at a pressure of about 14.3 psia.

7. A method of forming an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition comprising forming a blend consisting essentially of from about 0.1 to about 27 weight percent water and from about 73 to about 99.9 weight percent trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein water is provided in an amount from about 1 to about 27 weight percent and HFO-1234ze(E) is provided in an amount from about 73to about 99 weight percent.

9. The method of claim 7 , having a boiling point of about −19° C. ±0.5 ° C. at a pressure of about 14.3 psia ±2 psia.

10. The method of claim 7 , having a boiling point of about −19.3 ° C. at a pressure of about 14 . 3 psia.

11. The method of claim 7 , having a boiling point of about 31 19° C. at a pressure of about 14.3 psia.

12. A method for removing trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from a mixture containing trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and at least one impurity, comprising adding water to the mixture to form an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition of the trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and the water, and separating the azeotropic composition from the impurity, wherein the azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of from about 0.1 to about 27 weight percent water and from about 73 to about 99.9weight percent trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the impurity does not form an azeotropic mixture with trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, water or a mixture of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and water.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the impurity does form an azeotropic mixture with trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, water or a mixture of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and water.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the impurity comprises a halocarbon.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the impurity is miscible with trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the impurity is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen fluoride; 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane; cis-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of separating the azeotropic composition from the impurity is conducted by distillation.

19. A method for isolating trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from an azeotropic mixture containing trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and water, comprising providing an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of from about 0.1 to about 27 weight percent water and from about 73 to about 99.9 weight percent trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; and separating trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from the water.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene is separated from water using a liquid-liquid phase separation.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene is separated from water using distillation.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene is separated from water using at least one drying media.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the drying media is selected from the group consisting of a molecular sieve, silica alumina, and combinations thereof.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein water is removed first by liquid-liquid phase separation, then by a second method selected from the group consisting of distillation, one or more drying media, and combinations thereof.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS US, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074569/0260 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2011
From: HULSE, RYAN; KOPKALLI, HALUK; PHAM, HANG T.
To: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 026134/0527 →