Process to convert the cyclic monourea of an ethylene amine compound into the ethylene amine compound

1. A process to convert a cyclic monourea of ethylene amine compounds into an ethylene amine compound, the process comprising:

performing a reactive separation step using a reaction mixture containing the cyclic monourea, wherein one cyclic monourea reacts with another cyclic monourea to transfer its urea unit thereto;

whereby the ethylene amine compound is separated from the reaction mixture.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the ethylene amine compound is triethylene tetraamine or tetraethylene pentaamine.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the ethyleneamine compound is triethylenetetraamine.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction is done in less than about 10 wt % of water on the basis of total weight of the reaction mixture.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction is done at a temperature of at least about 150° C.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction is done at a pressure of below about 1 bar.

7. The process of claim 1 further comprising hydrolyzing any urea compound DU-EA formed from reaction between at least two cyclic urea compounds with water, or water containing a base, to release its carbonyl group to provide carbon dioxide or an ionic derivative thereof.

8. The process further comprising separating of claim 7 the carbon dioxide or ionic derivative thereof.

9. The process of claim 1 further comprising recycling any urea compound DU-EA formed from reaction between at least two cyclic urea compounds back into the reactive separation process.