Process to suppress the formation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne in fluorocarbon manufacture
This invention relates to a process for the suppression of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne during the manufacture of fluorocarbons, fluoroolefins, hydrochlorofluoroolefins. More particularly, this invention is directed to a process to suppress the formation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne during processes for the manufacture of HCFO-1233zd(E), HCFO-1233zd(Z), HFO-1234ze(E), and/or HFO-1234ze(Z).
1. A process for preventing the formation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne during the manufacture of fluorocarbon compounds, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a fluorocarbon compound selected from the group consisting of HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HFO-1234ze(Z) in a reaction process that generates reaction products comprising one or more acids;
(b) conducting one or more substantially caustic-free bulk acid removal procedures on the reaction products of step (a);
wherein the bulk removal of the acids in step (b) comprises treating the reaction products with a first scrubber solution in a first absorber to remove the bulk of the acid; and
(c) conducting one or more trace acid removal procedures to remove acids remaining after step (b); and
whereby the formation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne is prevented by the removal of acid during the process.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the bulk removal of the acids in step (b) further comprises one or more purification techniques selected from distillation, extraction, and decantation.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first scrubber solution comprises water.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the acid being removed is HF and the first scrubber solution comprises a weak HF solution.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first scrubber solution comprises H 2 SO 4 .
6. The process of claim 1 , whereby in step (c) the reaction products of step (b) are treated in a second absorber with a second scrubber solution to remove further amounts of acid.
7. The process of claim 6 , wherein the second scrubber solution comprises water.
8. The process of claim 6 , wherein the second scrubber solution comprises H 2 SO 4 .
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises a liquid phase deacidification process, using water to absorb and remove the bulk of the acid.
10. The process of claim 9 , wherein the step (b) process is conducted in batch mode.
11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the step (b) process is conducted in a single stage.
12. The process of claim 10 , wherein the step (b) process is conducted in multiple stages.
13. The process of claim 10 , wherein the step (b) process is conducted in continuous mode.
14. The process of claim 13 , wherein the step (b) process is conducted in a single stage.
15. The process of claim 13 , wherein the step (b) process is conducted in multiple stages.
16. The process of claim 10 , wherein the step (b) process further comprises a continuous extraction procedure.
17. A process for preventing the formation of 3,3,3-trifluoro-propyne during the manufacture of fluorocarbon compounds, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a fluorocarbon compound selected from the group consisting of HCFO-1233zd(Z) and HFO-1234ze(Z) in a reaction process that generates reaction products comprising one or more acids;
(b) conducting one or more substantially caustic-free bulk acid removal procedures on the reaction products of step (a);
wherein the bulk removal of the acids in step (b) comprises treating the reaction products with a first scrubber solution selected from water and an aqueous HF solution in a first absorber to remove the bulk of the acid; and
(c) conducting one or more trace acid removal procedures to remove acids remaining after step (b);
wherein in step (c) the reaction products of step (b) are treated in a second absorber with a second scrubber solution selected from water and H 2 SO 4 to remove further amounts of acid; and
whereby the formation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne is prevented by the removal of acid during the process.