MAKING SUCH COMPOSITIONS INVENTORS: Ashley J. POUCHER, Jorg F. W. WEBER, Medrado M. LEAL

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This invention claims priority to and the benefit of USSN 62/198,470 filed July 29,

2015, which is incorporated by reference herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/140,702 filed March 31, 2015; U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/057,919 filed September 30,

2014; and European Application No. 15151424.7 filed January 16, 2015, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein by their reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to processes for making cyclohexanone. In particular, the present invention relates to processes for making cyclohexanone by phenol hydrogenation. The present invention is useful, e.g., in making cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene oxidation and cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide cleavage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Cyclohexanone is an important material in the chemical industry and is widely used in, for example, production of phenolic resins, bisphenol A, ε-caprolactam, adipic acid, and plasticizers. One method for making cyclohexanone is by hydrogenating phenol.

[0005] Currently, a common route for the production of phenol is the Hock process.

This is a three-step process in which the first step involves alkylation of benzene with propylene to produce cumene, followed by oxidation of cumene to the corresponding hydroperoxide, and then cleavage of the hydroperoxide to produce equimolar amounts of phenol and acetone. The separated phenol product can then be converted to cyclohexanone by a step of hydrogenation.

[0006] It is known from, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,037,513, that cyclohexylbenzene can be produced by contacting benzene with hydrogen in the presence of a bifunctional catalyst comprising a molecular sieve of the MCM-22 type and at least one hydrogenation metal selected from palladium, ruthenium, nickel, cobalt, and mixtures thereof. This reference also discloses that the resultant cyclohexylbenzene can be oxidized to the corresponding hydroperoxide, which can then be cleaved to produce a cleavage mixture of phenol and cyclohexanone, which, in turn, can be separated to obtain pure, substantially equimolar phenol and cyclohexanone products. This cyclohexylbenzene -based process for co- producing phenol and cyclohexanone can be highly efficient in making these two important industrial materials. Given the higher commercial value of cyclohexanone than phenol, it is highly desirable that in this process more cyclohexanone than phenol be produced. While this can be achieved by subsequently hydrogenating the pure phenol product produced in this process to convert a part or all of the phenol to cyclohexanone, a more economical process and system would be highly desirable.

[0007] One solution to making more cyclohexanone than phenol from the above cyclohexylbenzene-based process is to hydrogenate a mixture containing phenol and cyclohexanone obtained from the cleavage mixture to convert at least a portion of the phenol contained therein to cyclohexanone. However, because the phenol/cyclohexanone mixture invariably contains non-negligible amounts of (i) catalyst poison component(s) (such as S- containing components) that can poison the hydrogenation catalyst, and (ii) cyclohexylbenzene that can be converted into bicyclohexane in the hydrogenation step, and because hydrogenation of the phenol/cyclohexanone/cyclohexylbenzene mixture can also lead to the formation of cyclohexanol, resulting in yield loss, this process is not without challenge.

[0008] Some references of potential interest in this regard may include: U.S. Patent Nos. 3,076,810; 3,322,651; 4,021,490; 4,439,409; 4,826,667; 4,954,325; 5,064,507; 5,168,983;

5,236,575; 5,250,277; 5,362,697; 6,037,513; 6,077,498; 6,730,625; 6,756,030; 7,199,271;

7,579,506; 7,579,511 ; and 8,921,603. Other references of potential interest include WIPO

Publication Nos. WO 97/17290; WO 2009/128984; WO 2009/131769; WO 2009/134514;

WO 2010/098916; WO 2012/036820; WO 2012/036822; WO 2012/036823; WO 2012/036828; WO 2012/036830; and WO 2014/137624. Further references of potential interest include EP 0 293 032; EP 0 606 553; and EP 1 575 892.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] As such, there is a need for an improved process for making cyclohexanone from a mixture containing phenol, cyclohexanone, cyclohexylbenzene, and catalyst poison component(s). Advantageously, such improved processes as described herein produce cyclohexanone compositions that are novel, useful and very different from those typically produced by conventional methods (e.g., the conventional production of cyclohexanone via hydrogenation of high purity phenol, and/or the oxidation of cyclohexanol, and the like). [0010] In particular, the present invention in some embodiments provides a cyclohexanone composition comprising:

(a) at least 99 wt% cyclohexanone, by total weight of the composition;

(b) 0.15 wt% or less water; and

(c) at most 500 wppm combined of one or more cyclohexanone impurities selected from the group consisting of: benzene, cyclohexene, pentanal, cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol, and phenol.

[0011] In certain of these embodiments, the composition comprises two or more; three or more; or four or more of the aforementioned cyclohexanone impurities. Such compounds may, e.g., be trace impurities resulting from the particular process by which the cyclohexanone composition is produced. In particular embodiments, the cyclohexanone composition may comprise at least 99.9 wt% cyclohexanone. Such compositions further comprise at most 0.05 wt% water, and 500 ppm or less combined of cyclohexanone impurities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a process/system for making cyclohexanone from a first mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone and cyclohexylbenzene including a first distillation column Tl, a hydrogenation reactor Rl, and a cyclohexanone purification column T2.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to the process/system shown in FIG. 1, but comprising modified fluid communications between and/or within the first distillation column Tl and the hydrogenation reactor Rl.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, but comprising modified fluid communications and/or heat transfer arrangement between and/or within the first distillation column Tl and the cyclohexanone purification column T2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, but comprising a tubular heat exchanger-type hydrogenation reactor Rl, where the hydrogenation reaction occurs primarily in vapor phase.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 to 4, but comprising three hydrogenation reactors R3, R5, and R7 connected in series, where the hydrogenation reaction occurs primarily in liquid phase. [0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 to 5, but comprising modified fluid communications between and/or within the first distillation column Tl and the hydrogenation reactor Rl.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, but comprising an anterior sorbent bed SBa before the first distillation column Tl configured for removing at least a portion of catalyst poison components from the phenol/cyclohexanone/cyclohexylbenzene feed fed to the first distillation column Tl to reduce or prevent catalyst poisoning in the hydrogenation reactor.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 to 7, comprising a posterior sorbent bed SBp after the first distillation column Tl configured for removing at least a portion of the S-containing components from the phenol/cyclohexanone/cyclohexylbenzene feed fed to the hydrogenation reactor to reduce or prevent catalyst poisoning in the hydrogenation reactor.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 to 8, comprising a sorbent bed T6 after the cyclohexanone purification column T2, configured to reduce amounts of impurities (e.g., catalyst poison components) from the final cyclohexanone product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Various specific embodiments, versions and examples of the invention will now be described, including preferred embodiments and definitions that are adopted herein for purposes of understanding the claimed invention. While the following detailed description gives specific preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these embodiments are exemplary only, and that the invention may be practiced in other ways. For purposes of determining infringement, the scope of the invention will refer to any one or more of the appended claims, including their equivalents, and elements or limitations that are equivalent to those that are recited. Any reference to the "invention" may refer to one or more, but not necessarily all, of the inventions defined by the claims.

[0022] In the present disclosure, a process is described as comprising at least one "step." It should be understood that each step is an action or operation that may be carried out once or multiple times in the process, in a continuous or discontinuous fashion. Unless specified to the contrary or the context clearly indicates otherwise, each step in a process may be conducted sequentially in the order as they are listed, with or without overlapping with one or more other step, or in any other order, as the case may be. In addition, one or more or even all steps may be conducted simultaneously with regard to the same or different batch of material. For example, in a continuous process, while a first step in a process is being conducted with respect to a raw material just fed into the beginning of the process, a second step may be carried out simultaneously with respect to an intermediate material resulting from treating the raw materials fed into the process at an earlier time in the first step. Preferably, the steps are conducted in the order described.

[0023] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers indicating quantities in the present disclosure are to be understood as being modified by the term "about" in all instances. It should also be understood that the precise numerical values used in the specification and claims constitute specific embodiments. Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the data in the examples. However, it should be understood that any measured data inherently contain a certain level of error due to the limitation of the technique and equipment used for making the measurement.

[0024] As used herein, the indefinite article "a" or "an" shall mean "at least one" unless specified to the contrary or the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, embodiments comprising "a light component" include embodiments where one, two or more light components exist, unless specified to the contrary or the context clearly indicates that only one light component exists.

[0025] A "complex" as used herein means a material formed by identified components via chemical bonds, hydrogen bonds, and/or physical forces.

[0026] An "operation temperature" of a distillation column means the highest temperature liquid media inside the column is exposed to during normal operation. Thus, the operation temperature of a column is typically the temperature of the liquid media in the reboiler, if the column is equipped with a reboiler.

[0027] The term "S-containing component" as used herein includes all compounds comprising sulfur.

[0028] In the present application, sulfur concentration in a material is expressed in terms of proportion (ppm, weight percentages, and the like) of the weight of elemental sulfur relative to the total weight of the material, even though the sulfur may be present in various valencies other than zero. Sulfuric acid concentration is expressed in terms of proportion (ppm, weight percentages, and the like) of the weight of H ₂ SO ₄ relative to the total weight of the material, even though the sulfuric acid may be present in the material in forms other than H ₂ SO ₄ . Thus, the sulfuric acid concentration is the total concentration of H ₂ SO ₄ , SO ₃ , HSO ₄ ^" , and R-HSO ₄ in the material. [0029] As used herein, "wt%" means percentage by weight, "vol%" means percentage by volume, "mol%" means percentage by mole, "ppm" means parts per million, and "ppm wt" and "wppm" are used interchangeably to mean parts per million on a weight basis. All "ppm" as used herein are ppm by weight unless specified otherwise. All concentrations herein are expressed on the basis of the total amount of the composition in question. Thus, the concentrations of the various components of the first mixture are expressed based on the total weight of the first mixture. All ranges expressed herein should include both end points as two specific embodiments unless specified or indicated to the contrary.

[0030] In the present disclosure, a location "in the vicinity of an end (top or bottom) of a column means a location within 10% of the top or bottom, respectively, the % being based upon the total height of the column. That is, a location "in the vicinity of the bottom" of a column is within the bottom 10% of the column's height, and a location "in the vicinity of the top" of a column is within the top 10% of the column's height.

[0031] An "upper effluent" as used herein may be at the very top or the side of a vessel such as a distillation column or a reactor, with or without an additional effluent above it. Preferably, an upper effluent is drawn at a location in the vicinity of the top of the column. Preferably, an upper effluent is drawn at a location above at least one feed. A "lower effluent" as used herein is at a location lower than the upper effluent, which may be at the very bottom or the side of a vessel, and if at the side, with or without additional effluent below it. Preferably, a lower effluent is drawn at a location in the vicinity of the bottom of the column. Preferably, a lower effluent is drawn at a location below at least one feed. As used herein, a "middle effluent" is an effluent between an upper effluent and a lower effluent. The "same level" on a distillation column means a continuous segment of the column with a total height no more than 5% of the total height of the column.

[0032] Nomenclature of elements and groups thereof used herein are pursuant to the Periodic Table used by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry after 1988. An example of the Periodic Table is shown in the inner page of the front cover of Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 6 ^th Edition, by F. Albert Cotton et al. (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999).

[0033] As used herein, the term "methylcyclopentanone" includes both isomers 2- methylcyclopentanone (CAS Registry No. 1120-72-5) and 3 -methylcyclopentanone (CAS Registry No. 1757-42-2), at any proportion between them, unless it is clearly specified to mean only one of these two isomers or the context clearly indicates that is the case. It should be noted that under the conditions of the various steps of the present processes, the two isomers may undergo isomerization reactions to result in a ratio between them different from that in the raw materials immediately before being charged into a vessel such as a distillation column.

[0034] As used herein, the generic term "dicyclohexylbenzene" ("DiCHB") includes, in the aggregate, 1,2-dicyclohexylbenzene, 1,3-dicylohexylbenzene, and 1,4- dicyclohexylbenzene, unless clearly specified to mean only one or two thereof. The term cyclohexylbenzene, when used in the singular form, means mono substituted cyclohexylbenzene. As used herein, the term "C12" means compounds having 12 carbon atoms, and "C12+ components" means compounds having at least 12 carbon atoms. Examples of C12+ components include, among others, cyclohexylbenzene, biphenyl, bicyclohexane, methylcyclopentylbenzene, 1,2-biphenylbenzene, 1,3-biphenylbenzene, 1,4- biphenylbenzene, 1,2,3-triphenylbenzene, 1 ,2,4-triphenylbenzene, 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, and corresponding oxygenates such as alcohols, ketones, acids, and esters derived from these compounds. As used herein, the term "CI 8" means compounds having 18 carbon atoms, and the term "CI 8+ components" means compounds having at least 18 carbon atoms. Examples of C18+ components include, among others, dicyclohexylbenzenes ("DiCHB," described above), tricyclohexylbenzenes ("TriCHB," including all isomers thereof, including 1,2,3- tricyclohexylbenzene, 1,2,4-tricyclohexylbenzene, 1,3,5-tricyclohexylbenzene, and mixtures of two or more thereof at any proportion). As used herein, the term "C24" means compounds having 24 carbon atoms.

[0035] As used herein, the term "light component" means compound having a normal boiling point (i.e., boiling point at a pressure of 101,325 Pa) lower than cyclohexanone. Examples of the light component include, but are not limited to: (i) methylcyclopentanone; (ii) water; (iii) hydrocarbons comprising 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 carbon atoms, including but not limited to linear, branched linear, cyclic, substituted cyclic, alkanes, alkenes, and dienes; (iv) oxygenates such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, ethers, and the like, of hydrocarbons; (v) N-containing compounds, such as amines, amides, imides, NO2- substituted compounds, and the like; (vi) S-containing compounds, such as sulfides, sulfites, sulfates, sulfones, and the like. It has been found that S-containing compounds, N-containing compounds, dienes, alkenes, cyclic alkenes, and cyclic dienes, and carboxylic acids comprising 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 carbon atoms can be present in the phenol/cyclohexanone mixture produced by hydroperoxide cleavage reactions described in greater detail below, and they can be particularly detrimental to the performance of the hydrogenation catalyst, leading to catalyst poisoning and undesirable, premature catalyst performance reduction. [0036] The term "MCM-22 type material" (or "material of the MCM-22 type" or "molecular sieve of the MCM-22 type" or "MCM-22 type zeolite"), as used herein, includes one or more of:

molecular sieves made from a common first degree crystalline building block unit cell, which unit cell has the MWW framework topology. A unit cell is a spatial arrangement of atoms which if tiled in three-dimensional space describes the crystal structure. Such crystal structures are discussed in the "Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types," Fifth Edition, 2001, the entire content of which is incorporated as reference; molecular sieves made from a common second degree building block, being a 2- dimensional tiling of such MWW framework topology unit cells, forming a monolayer of one unit cell thickness, desirably one c-unit cell thickness;

molecular sieves made from common second degree building blocks, being layers of one or more than one unit cell thickness, wherein the layer of more than one unit cell thickness is made from stacking, packing, or binding at least two monolayers of one unit cell thickness. The stacking of such second degree building blocks can be in a regular fashion, an irregular fashion, a random fashion, or any combination thereof; and

molecular sieves made by any regular or random 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional combination of unit cells having the MWW framework topology.

[0037] Molecular sieves of the MCM-22 type include those molecular sieves having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4+0.25, 6.9+0.15, 3.57+0.07, and 3.42+0.07 Angstrom. The X-ray diffraction data used to characterize the material are obtained by standard techniques such as using the K-alpha doublet of copper as incident radiation and a diffractometer equipped with a scintillation counter and associated computer as the collection system.

[0038] Materials of the MCM-22 type include MCM-22 (described in U.S. Patent No. 4,954,325), PSH-3 (described in U.S. Patent No. 4,439,409), SSZ-25 (described in U.S. Patent No. 4,826,667), ERB-1 (described in European Patent No. 0293032), ITQ-1 (described in U.S. Patent No. 6,077,498), ITQ-2 (described in International Patent Publication No. WO 97/17290), MCM-36 (described in U.S. Patent No. 5,250,277), MCM-49 (described in U.S. Patent No. 5,236,575), MCM-56 (described in U.S. Patent No. 5,362,697), and mixtures thereof. Other molecular sieves, such as UZM-8 (described in U.S. Patent No. 6,756,030), may be used alone or together with the MCM-22 type molecular sieves as well for the purpose of the present disclosure. Desirably, the molecular sieve used in the catalyst of the present disclosure is selected from (a) MCM-49; (b) MCM-56; and (c) isotypes of MCM-49 and MCM-56, such as ITQ-2.

[0039] The process and systems for making cyclohexanone disclosed herein can be advantageously used for making cyclohexanone from any feed mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone and cyclohexylbenzene. While the feed may be derived from any process or source, it is preferably obtained from the acid cleavage of a mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and cyclohexylbenzene, which, in turn, is preferably obtained from aerobic oxidation of cyclohexylbenzene, which, in turn, is preferably obtained from benzene hydroalkylation. Steps of these preferred processes are described in detail below.

Supply of Cyclohexylbenzene

[0040] The cyclohexylbenzene supplied to the oxidation step can be produced and/or recycled as part of an integrated process for producing phenol and cyclohexanone from benzene. In such an integrated process, benzene is initially converted to cyclohexylbenzene by any conventional technique, including oxidative coupling of benzene to make biphenyl followed by hydrogenation of the biphenyl. However, in practice, the cyclohexylbenzene is desirably produced by contacting benzene with hydrogen under hydroalkylation conditions in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst whereby benzene undergoes the following Reaction- 1 ce cyclohexylbenzene (CHB): ... (Reaction- 1).

[0041] Alternatively, cyclohexylbenzene can be produced by direct alkylation of benzene with cyclohexene in the presence of a solid-acid catalyst such as molecular sieves in the MCM- to the following Reaction-2: (Reaction-2).

[0042] Side reactions may occur in Reaction- 1 or Reaction-2 to produce some polyalkylated benzenes, such as dicyclohexylbenzenes (DiCHB), tricyclohexylbenzenes (TriCHB), methylcyclopentylbenzene, unreacted benzene, cyclohexane, bicyclohexane, biphenyl, and other contaminants. Thus, typically, after the reaction, the hydroalkylation reaction product mixture is separated by distillation to obtain a C6 fraction containing benzene, cyclohexane, a C12 fraction containing cyclohexylbenzene and methylcyclopentylbenzene, and a heavies fraction containing, e.g., C18s such as DiCHBs and C24s such as TriCHBs. The unreacted benzene may be recovered by distillation and recycled to the hydroalkylation or alkylation reactor. The cyclohexane may be sent to a dehydrogenation reactor, with or without some of the residual benzene, and with or without co-fed hydrogen, where it is converted to benzene and hydrogen, which can be recycled to the hydroalkylation alkylation step. Depending on the quantity of the heavies fraction, it may be desirable to either (a) transalkylate the CI 8s such as DiCHB and C24s such as TriCHB with additional benzene or (b) dealkylate the CI 8s and C24s to maximize the production of the desired monoalkylated species.

[0043] Details of feed materials, catalyst used, reaction conditions, and reaction product properties of benzene hydroalkylation, and transalkylation and dealkylation can be found in, e.g., the following copending, co-assigned patent applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/972877, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexylbenzene and/or Phenol and/or Cyclohexanone;" and filed on March 31, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037794, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037801, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037814, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037824, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057919, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057947, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057980, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Oxidation of Cyclohexylbenzene

[0044] In the oxidation step, at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene contained in the oxidation feed is converted to cyclohexyl-l-phenyl-l-hydroperoxide, the desired hydroperoxide, according to the following Reaction-3:

(Reaction-3).

[0045] The cyclohexylbenzene freshly produced and/or recycled may be purified before being fed to the oxidation step to remove at least a portion of, among others, methylcyclopentylbenzene, olefins, phenol, acid, and the like. Such purification may include, e.g., distillation, hydrogenation, caustic wash, and the like.

[0046] In exemplary processes, the oxidation step may be accomplished by contacting an oxygen-containing gas, such as air and various derivatives of air, with the feed comprising cyclohexylbenzene. For example, a stream of pure O2, O2 diluted by inert gas such as N ₂ , pure air, or other C containing mixtures can be pumped through the cyclohexylbenzene- containing feed in an oxidation reactor to effect the oxidation.

[0047] The oxidation may be conducted in the absence or presence of a catalyst, such as a cyclic imide type catalyst (e.g., N-hydroxyphthalimide).

[0048] Details of the feed material, reaction conditions, reactors used, catalyst used, product mixture composition and treatment, and the like, of the oxidation step can be found in, e.g., the following copending, co-assigned patent applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 61/972877, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexylbenzene and/or Phenol and/or Cyclohexanone;" and filed on March 31, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037794, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037801, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037814, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037824, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057919, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057947, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057980, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Cleavage Reaction

[0049] In the cleavage reaction, at least a portion of the cyclohexyl-1 -phenyl- 1- hydroperoxide decomposes in the presence of an acid catalyst in high selectivity to ction-4:

(Reaction-4).

[0050] The cleavage product mixture may comprise the acid catalyst, phenol, cyclohexanone, cyclohexylbenzene, and contaminants.

[0051] The acid catalyst can be at least partially soluble in the cleavage reaction mixture, is stable at a temperature of at least 185°C and has a lower volatility (higher normal boiling point) than cyclohexylbenzene.

[0052] Feed composition, reaction conditions, catalyst used, product mixture composition and treatment thereof, and the like, of this cleavage step can be found in, e.g., the following copending, co-assigned patent applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/972877, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexylbenzene and/or Phenol and/or Cyclohexanone;" and filed on March 31, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037794, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037801, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037814, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/037824, entitled "Process and System for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on August 15, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057919, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057947, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/057980, entitled "Process for Making Cyclohexanone," and filed on September 30, 2014, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Separation and Purification

[0053] A portion of the neutralized cleavage reaction product can then be separated by methods such as distillation. In one example, in a first distillation column after the cleavage reactor, a heavies fraction comprising heavies (such as amine sulfuric acid complex, which can be regarded as an amine sulfate salt, if an organic amine is used to neutralize at least a portion of the sulfuric acid present in the cleavage reaction product before it is fed into the first distillation column) is obtained at the bottom of the column, a side fraction comprising cyclohexylbenzene is obtained in the middle section, and an upper fraction comprising cyclohexanone, phenol, methylcyclopentanone, and water is obtained.

[0054] The separated cyclohexylbenzene fraction can then be treated and/or purified before being delivered to the oxidation step. Since the cyclohexylbenzene separated from the cleavage product mixture may contain phenol and/or olefins such as cyclohexenylbenzenes, the material may be subjected to treatment with an aqueous composition comprising a base and/or a hydrogenation step as disclosed in, for example, WO 2011/100013A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] In one example, the fraction comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and water can be further separated by simple distillation to obtain an upper fraction comprising primarily cyclohexanone and methylcyclopentanone and a lower fraction comprising primarily phenol, and some cyclohexanone. Cyclohexanone cannot be completely separated from phenol without using an extractive solvent due to an azeotrope formed between these two. Thus, the upper fraction can be further distillated in a separate column to obtain a pure cyclohexanone product in the vicinity of the bottom and an impurity fraction in the vicinity of the top comprising primarily methylcyclopentanone, which can be further purified, if needed, and then used as a useful industrial material. The lower fraction can be further separated by a step of extractive distillation using an extractive solvent (e.g., sulfolane, and glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and the like) described in, e.g., co-assigned, co-pending patent applications WO 2013/165656A1 and WO 2013/165659, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. An upper fraction comprising cyclohexanone and a lower fraction comprising phenol and the extractive solvent can be obtained. In a subsequent distillation column, the lower fraction can then be separated to obtain an upper fraction comprising a phenol product and a lower fraction comprising the extractive solvent.

[0056] Where an acid, such as sulfuric acid, is used as the catalyst in the cleavage step, and a liquid amine is used as the neutralizing agent to neutralize at least a portion of the acid before the cleavage product mixture is fed into the first distillation column, the acid will react with the amine to form a complex that is fed into the first distillation column as well. It had been hoped that given the high boiling point of the complex, it would stay in the bottom fraction of the first distillation column, and therefore all sulfur would be removed completely from the bottoms of the first distillation column. However, in a very surprising manner, it has been found that sulfur was present in the fraction comprising cyclohexanone and phenol exiting the first distillation column.

[0057] Without intending to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that the complex between the acid catalyst and the organic amine, if present in the feed to the first distillation column, can decompose at least partially in the first distillation column, due to the high operating temperature therein (i.e., the highest temperature the liquid media is exposed to in the first distillation column, typically in the vicinity of the bottom of the column and/or in the reboiler) of at least 120°C (even 130°C, 140°C, 150°C, 160°C, 170°C, 180°C, 190°C, 200°C, 210°C, 220°C, 230°C, 240°C, or even 250°C) is used, necessitated by the separation of cyclohexylbenzene present therein at high concentrations (e.g., at least 5 wt%, or 10 wt%, or 15 wt%, or 20 wt%, or 25 wt%, or 30 wt%, or 35 wt%, or 40 wt%, or 45 wt%, or even 50 wt%, based on the total weight of the cleavage product mixture), which has a very high normal boiling temperature (240°C, compared to the normal boiling temperature of cumene of 152°C). The decomposition of the complex likely produces, among others, SO ₃ , which can easily travel upwards along the first distillation column to upper locations, where it can recombine at least partially with water to form H ₂ S0 ₄ . This operation temperature can be significantly higher than the distillation temperature the mixture of cumene, phenol, and acetone is exposed to in the first distillation column in the cumene process for making phenol and acetone.

[0058] Thus, the presence of acid, especially strong acid such as SO ₃ , HS0 ₄ ^" , R-HS0 ₄ , and/or sulfuric acid in the first distillation column, can catalyze many undesirable side reactions between and among the many components present in the distillation mixture, leading to the formation of byproducts (including S-containing components) and/or premature malfunction of the distillation column. Furthermore, at high operation temperature, prolonged exposure to the acid can cause significant corrosion to the column equipment. The acid species can also make their way into the various fractions drawn from the different locations of the first distillation column, causing different problems in subsequent steps where the fractions are further processed. If the acid species and/or S-containing component enter into a down-stream hydrogenation reactor (described below) where phenol is hydrogenated to make additional cyclohexanone, the hydrogenation catalyst can be easily deactivated. [0059] Therefore, treating the cleavage product mixture before it enters into the first distillation column using a solid-phase basic material according to the present invention is highly advantageous and desirable. Doing so would reduce or eliminate the presence of acid species in media inside the first distillation column, avoid undesirable side reactions and byproducts formed as a result of contact with the acid species, reduce corrosion of the first distillation column caused by the acid species and the associated repair and premature replacement, and prevent undesirable side reactions and byproduct formation in subsequent steps.

[0060] Such basic materials useful for treatment according to such embodiments, advantageously in solid-phase under the operation conditions, can be selected from (i) oxides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (ii) hydroxides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (iii) carbonates of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (iv) bicarbonates of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (v) complexes of two or more of (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv); (vi) solid amines; (vii) ion-exchange resins; and (viii) mixtures and combinations of two or more of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and (vii). Oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates of alkali and alkaline earth metals and zinc can react with acid to form salts thereof, which preferably, are also in solid-phase under the operation conditions. Preferably, an ion exchange resin is used. Such ion exchange resin preferably comprise groups on the surface thereof capable of adsorbing and/or binding with protons, SO ₃ , HSO ₄ ^" , H ₂ SO ₄ , complexes of sulfuric acid, and the like. The ion exchange resin can comprise a strong and/or a weak base resin. Weak base resins primarily function as acid adsorbers. These resins are capable of sorbing strong acids with a high capacity. Strong base anion resins can comprise quarternized amine -based products capable of sorbing both strong and weak acids. Commercial examples of basic ion exchange resins useful in the present invention include but are not limited to: Amberlyst® A21 and Amberlyst® A26 basic ion exchange resins available from Dow Chemical Company. Amberlyst® A26 is an example of a strong base, type 1, anionic, macroreticular polymeric resin. According to Dow Chemical Company, the resin is based on crosslinked styrene divinylbenzene copolymer, containing quaternary ammonium groups. A26 is generally considered to be a stronger base resin than A21.

[0061] After treatment using a solid-phase base and/or ion exchange resin, both total acid concentration and acid precursor concentration in the feed supplied to the first distillation column can be exceedingly low (e.g., 50 ppm or less, such as less than or equal to 20, 15, 10, 5, or 1 ppm). Accordingly, the first distillation column can be operated at a high operation temperature, such as temperatures higher than the disassociation temperatures of complex materials formed between the acid catalyst used in the cleavage step, such as sulfuric acid, and the following organic amines: (i) pentane-l,5-diamine; (ii) l-methylhexane-l,5-diamine; (iii) hexane-l,6-diamine; (iv) 2-methylpentane- 1,5 -diamine; (v) ethylene diamine; (vi) propylene diamine; (vii) diethylene triamine; and (viii) triethylene tetramine, without the concern of issues associated with acid produced from thermal dissociation thereof under such high operation temperature.

Separation and Hydrogenation

[0062] At least a portion, preferably the entirety, of the neutralized cleavage effluent (cleavage reaction product), may be separated and a phenol-containing fraction thereof can be hydrogenated to convert a portion of the phenol to cyclohexanone in accordance with the present invention.

[0063] It has been found that hydrogenation catalyst used for hydrogenating phenol to make additional quantities of phenol is highly susceptible to poisoning by S-containing components and/or acids in the feed to the hydrogenation reactor, as well as to other catalyst poison components that may be present in the neutralized cleavage effluent. As such, it is highly desirable that acids and/or S-containing components, as well as other catalyst poison components, are removed from the stream prior to being fed into the hydrogenation reactor.

[0064] Examples of the separation and hydrogenation process and/or system are illustrated in the attached drawings and described in detail below. It should be understood that process and/or systems shown in the schematic, not-to-scale drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the general material and/or heat flows and general operating principles. To simplify illustration and description, some routine components, such as pumps, valves, reboilers, pressure regulators, heat exchangers, recycling loops, condensers, separation drums, sensors, rectifiers, fillers, distributors, stirrers, motors, and the like, are not shown in the drawings or described herein. One having ordinary skill in the art, in light of the teachings herein, can add those components where appropriate.

[0065] FIGs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 illustrate processes and systems that do not include an anterior or posterior sorbent bed before or after the first distillation column for separating cyclohexanone from phenol for the purpose of poison removal from the hydrogenation feed. Nonetheless, because these drawings show systems and processes on which the present invention is based, they are included and described herein.

[0066] FIG.l is a schematic diagram showing a process/system 101 for making cyclohexanone from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone and cyclohexylbenzene including a first distillation column Tl (i.e., the first distillation column), a hydrogenation reactor Rl, and a cyclohexanone purification column T2 (i.e., the second distillation column). Feed 103 from storage S I, comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene, is fed into the first distillation column Tl.

[0067] Feed 103 can be produced by any method. A preferred method is by cleaving a cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide in the presence of an acid catalyst such as sulfuric acid and cyclohexylbenzene as described above. Feed 103 may further comprise impurities other than cyclohexylbenzene such as: hydrogenation catalyst poisons; light components (defined above) such as water, methylcyclopentanone, pentanal, hexanal, benzoic acid, and the like, and heavy components such as methylcyclopentylbenzene, bicyclohexane, sulfate of an organic amine (such as 1,6-hexamethylenediame, 2-methyl-l,5-pentamethylenediamine, ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and the like) produced by injecting the amine into the cleavage mixture to neutralize the liquid acid catalyst used. Feed 103 may further comprise olefins heavier than cyclohexanone such as phenylcyclohexene isomers, hydroxylcyclohexanone, cyclohexenone, and the like. The cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide may be produced by aerobic oxidation of cyclohexylbenzene in the presence of a catalyst such as NHPI as described above. The cyclohexylbenzene may be produced by hydroalkylation of benzene in the presence of a hydrogenation/alkylation bi-functional catalyst as described above.

[0068] Thus, feed 103 (the first mixture) may comprise, based on the total weight thereof:

- 10 wt% to 90 wt% (such as about 20 wt% to about 30 wt%, or 20 wt% to about 40 wt%) cyclohexanone;

- 10 wt% to 90 wt% (such as about 20 wt% to about 30 wt%, or 20 wt% to about 40 wt%) phenol (further, the ratio of wt% cyclohexanone to wt% phenol in the feed is preferably from 0.5 to 1.5);

- 0.001 wt% to 90 wt% (preferably 20 wt% to 70 wt%, such as 30 wt% to 60 wt%) cyclohexylbenzene ;

0.001 wt% to 1 wt% bicyclohexane; and

- light components (e.g., benzoic acid, and other carboxylic acids comprising 1, 2, 3, 4,

5, 6, 7, or 8 carbon atoms), S-containing compounds, and N-containing compounds each at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 ppm to 10,000 ppm, preferably 1 to 5000 ppm. [0069] From the first distillation column Tl, a first upper effluent 105 comprising a portion of the cyclohexanone and a portion of light components such as water, methylcyclopentanone, and the like, is produced in the vicinity of the top of the column Tl. Effluent 105 may comprise, based on the total weight thereof:

- 60 wt% to 99.9 wt%, preferably 75 wt% to 95 wt% or 99.9 wt%, cyclohexanone;

0 wt% to 1 wt% of each of phenol, cyclohexylbenzene, and bicyclohexane;

- 0.001 wt% to 10 wt% (preferably 0.1 to 5.0 wt%) cyclohexanol; and

light components at a total concentration of 0.001 wt% to 5.0 wt% (preferably 0.001 wt% to 1.0 wt%).

[0070] The first upper effluent 105 is then sent to a cyclohexanone purification column T2, from which a third upper effluent 121 comprising light components such as water, methylcyclopentanone, and the like, is produced at a location in the vicinity of the top of column T2 and then delivered to storage S5. A second upper effluent 123 comprising essentially pure cyclohexanone is produced and sent to storage S7. In the vicinity of the bottom of column T2, a second lower effluent 125 is produced and delivered to storage S9. The second lower effluent can be, e.g., a KA oil comprising both cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. Thus, the second upper effluent 123 may comprise, based on the total weight thereof, 95 to 99.9999 wt% (such as 95 wt% to 99.9 wt%) cyclohexanone. The second lower effluent 125 may comprise, based on the total weight thereof: 10 wt% to 80 wt% cyclohexanol; and 10 wt% to 80 wt% (such as 10 wt% to 40 wt%) cyclohexanone.

[0071] The first middle effluent 107 produced from the first distillation column Tl comprises phenol at a concentration higher than in feed 103 and higher than in the first upper effluent 105, cyclohexanone at a concentration lower than in both feed 103 and the first upper effluent 105, cyclohexylbenzene at a concentration desirably lower than in feed 103 and higher than in the first upper effluent 105, and one or more of other impurities such as bicyclohexane and cyclohexenone. Thus, effluent 107 may comprise, based on total weight thereof:

1 wt% to 50 wt% (such as 5 wt% to 30 wt%) cyclohexanone;

10 wt% to 80 wt% (such as 20 wt% to 80 wt%) phenol, further wherein the weight ratio of phenol to cyclohexanone is preferably within the range from 1.0 to 3.0, more preferably from 2.0 to 3.0;

- 0.001 wt% to 30 wt% (such as 0.001 wt% to 10 wt%) cyclohexylbenzene;

- 0.001 wt% to 30 wt% (such as 0.001 wt% to 25 wt%) bicyclohexane;

- 0.01 wt% to 30 wt% (such as 0.01 wt% to 5 wt%) cyclohexanol; and light components (e.g., benzoic acid, and other organic acid comprising 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 carbon atoms), S-containing compounds, and N-containing compounds each at a concentration of 0 wppm to 5000 wppm, preferably 0 wppm to 1000 wppm, such as 1 ppm to 1000 ppm.

[0072] Preferably, effluent 107 is essentially free of catalyst poison components, including S-containing components, that may poison the hydrogenation catalyst used in the hydrogenation reactor(s) Rl. However, depending on the quality of feed 103, effluent 107 may comprise catalyst poison components (such as S-containing components) at concentrations capable of leading to poisoning of the hydrogenation catalyst, as discussed above. In such case, embodiments according to the processes and systems illustrated in FIGs. 7 and 8 and described in detail below may be advantageously used to reduce the catalyst poison components (including S-containing components) from effluent 107 before it is fed into the hydrogenation reactor as the whole or a portion of the hydrogenation feed.

[0073] Otherwise, effluent 107, if containing catalyst poison components at acceptably low concentration(s), can be directly delivered to a hydrogenation reactor Rl, where the effluent 107 is mixed with a hydrogen gas feed 112 comprising fresh make-up hydrogen stream 111 from storage S3 and recycle hydrogen 117. The phenol contained in feed 107 and hydrogen reacts with each other in the presence of a catalyst bed 113 inside reactor Rl to produce cyclohexanone. Some of the cyclohexanone inside the reactor Rl reacts with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst bed 113 as well to produce cyclohexanol. In the exemplary process shown in FIG. 1, surplus hydrogen is fed into reactor Rl. It is contemplated that a second phenol-containing stream (not shown), separate from and independent of effluent 107, may be fed into the hydrogenation reactor Rl. Such additional feed can advantageously contain 50 wt% to 100 wt% phenol. Preferably, the second phenol- containing stream comprises substantially pure phenol produced by any process, such as the conventional cumene process, coal-based processes, and the like.

[0074] The total hydrogenation feed, including stream 107 and optional additional streams, delivered to the hydrogenation reactor Rl, if blended together before being fed into Rl, may have an overall composition comprising, based on the total weight of the hydrogen feed stream 107 and optional additional streams:

- 0.1 to 50 wt% cyclohexanone (such as 0.1 to 50 wt%, more particularly 10 wt% to 50 wt%, even more particularly 20 wt% to 45 wt%);

- 10 to 99 wt% phenol (such as 30 to 95, or 40 to 85 wt%); and - 0.001 to 30 wt% of each of cyclohexylbenzene and bicyclohexane (such as 0.1 wt% to 25 wt%, preferably 1 wt% to 20 wt% each).

[0075] In the hydrogenation reaction zone, the following reactions can take place, resulting in an increase of concentrations of cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol, and bicyclohexane, and a decrease of concentrations of henol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene:

[0076] Cyclohexanone may hydrogenate to make cyclohexanol in the hydrogenation reactor Rl. Because the net effect of the reaction is an overall increase of cyclohexanone concentration, this reaction is not included in the above paragraph. Nonetheless, cyclohexanone can engage in competition against phenol for hydrogen, which should be reduced or inhibited.

[0077] The total amount of hydrogen, including fresh, make-up hydrogen and recycled hydrogen, fed into the reactor Rl, and the total amount of phenol fed into the hydrogenation reaction zone desirably exhibit a hydrogen to phenol molar ratio falling within the range of 1:1 to 10: 1, preferably within the range of 1:1 to 5:1. While a higher R(H2/phol) ratio can result in higher overall conversion of phenol, it tends to result in higher conversion of cyclohexanone, higher selectivity of phenol to cyclohexanol, and higher conversion of cyclohexylbenzene, as well. Therefore, it is generally desirable that in the hydrogenation reactor Rl, the reaction conditions, including but not limited to temperature, pressure, and R(H2/phol) ratio, and catalysts, are chosen such that the overall conversion of phenol is not too high.

[0078] The hydrogenation reactions take place in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation catalyst may comprise a hydrogenation metal performing a hydrogenation function supported on a support material. The hydrogenation metal can be, e.g., Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt, and mixtures and combinations of one or more thereof. The support material can be advantageously an inorganic material, such as oxides, glasses, ceramics, molecular sieves, and the like. For example, the support material can be activated carbon, AI2O3, Ga2C>3, S1O2, GeC>2, SnO, SnC>2, Ti0 ₂ , ZrC>2, SC2O3, Y2O3, alkali metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides, and mixtures, combinations, complexes, and compounds thereof. The concentration of the hydrogenation metal can be, e.g., in a range from Cml wt% to Cm2 wt%, based on the total weight of the catalyst, where Cml and Cm2 can be, independently: 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, as long as Cml < Cm2.

[0079] Without intending to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the above hydrogenation reactions occur quickly in the presence of the hydrogenation metal. Therefore, it is highly desirable that the hydrogenation metal is preferentially distributed in the outer rim of the catalyst particles, i.e., the concentration of the hydrogenation metal in the catalyst particle surface layer is higher than in the core thereof. Such rimmed catalyst can reduce the overall hydrogenation metal loading, reducing cost thereof, especially if the hydrogenation metal comprises a precious metal such as Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, and the like. The low concentration of hydrogenation metal in the core of the catalyst particle also leads to a lower chance of hydrogenation of cyclohexanone, which may diffuse from the surface to the core of the catalyst particles, resulting in higher selectivity of cyclohexanone in the overall process.

[0080] Certain light components, such as organic acids (e.g., formic acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid, linear, linear branched and cyclic carboxylic acids comprising 5, 6, 7, or 8 carbon atoms such as benzoic acid), N-containing compounds (e.g., amines, imides, amides, NO2- substituted organic compounds), and S-containing compounds (e.g., sulfides, sulfites, sulfates, sulfones, SO ₃ , SO2), if contained in the reaction mixture in the hydrogenation reactor and allowed to contact the hydrogenation metal under the hydrogenation reaction conditions, poisoning of the hydrogenation catalyst can occur, leading to reduction of performance or premature failure of the catalyst. To avoid catalyst poisoning, it is highly desirable that the hydrogenation feed comprises such catalyst poison components at low concentrations described above.

[0081] It is believed that the catalyst surface can have different degrees of adsorption affinity to the different components in the reaction media such as phenol, cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol, cyclohexenone, cyclohexylbenzene, and bicyclohexane. It is highly desired that the catalyst surface has higher adsorption affinity to phenol than to cyclohexanone and cyclohexylbenzene. Such higher phenol adsorption affinity will give phenol competitive advantages in the reactions, resulting in higher selectivity to cyclohexanone, lower selectivity of cyclohexanol, and lower conversion of cyclohexylbenzene, which are all desired in a process designed for making cyclohexanone. In addition, in order to favor the conversion of phenol to cyclohexanone over the conversion of cyclohexylbenzene to bicyclohexane and the conversion of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol, it is highly desired that the phenol concentration in the reaction medium in the hydrogenation reactor Rl is relatively high, so that phenol molecules occupy most of the active catalyst surface area. Therefore, it is desired that the overall conversion of phenol in the reactor Rl is relatively low.

[0082] As such, it is desired that in the hydrogenation reactor Rl, any one or more of the following conditions is met:

(i) 30% < conversion of phenol < 95%;

(ii) 0.1% < conversion of cyclohexylbenzene < 20%;

(iii) 80% < selectivity of phenol to cyclohexanone conversion < 99.9%; and

(iv) 0.1% < selectivity of phenol to cyclohexanol conversion < 20%.

[0083] The feed(s) to the hydrogenation reactor Rl may further comprise 0.01 wt% to 5 wt% cyclohexenone. It is highly desired that the conversion of cyclohexenone in the reactor Rl is within the range from 85 to 100%. Thus, a great majority of the cyclohexenone contained in the feed(s) is converted into cyclohexanone in the hydrogenation reactor Rl.

[0084] At the bottom of reactor Rl, a hydrogenation reaction product stream 115 comprising phenol at a concentration lower than in stream 107, cyclohexanone at a concentration higher than in stream 107, cyclohexylbenzene, bicyclohexane, and surplus hydrogen is taken. Stream 115 may comprise, based on the total weight thereof:

- 20 wt% to 90 wt% (such as 30 wt% or 50 wt% to 90 wt%) Cyclohexanone;

- 1 wt% to 50 wt% (such as 1 wt% to 15 or 20 wt%) Phenol;

- 0.001 wt% to 30 wt% (such as 0.001 wt% to 15 wt% or 20 wt%) cyclohexylbenzene;

- 0.001 wt% to 30 wt% (such as 0.001 wt% to 10 wt% or 15 wt%) bicyclohexane; and

- 0.01 wt% to 10 wt% (such as 0.01 wt% to 5 wt%) cyclohexanol.

[0085] Stream 115 is then delivered to a separation drum Dl, where a vapor phase comprising a majority of the surplus hydrogen and a liquid phase is obtained. The vapor phase can be recycled as stream 117 to reactor Rl as part of the hydrogen supply, and the liquid phase 119 is recycled to the first distillation column Tl at one or more side locations on column Tl, at least one of which is above the location where the first middle effluent 107 is taken, but below the location where the first upper effluent 105 is taken. [0086] The first bottom effluent 109 obtained from the first distillation column Tl comprises primarily heavy components such as cyclohexylbenzene, bicyclohexane, amine salts mentioned above, C18+, C12 oxygenates, and C18+ oxygenates. This fraction is delivered to a heavies distillation column T3 (the third distillation column), from which a fourth upper effluent 127 desirably comprising cyclohexylbenzene at a concentration higher than C31 80% and a lower effluent 129 are produced. Effluent 127 may be delivered to storage Sl l and effluent 129 to storage SI 3. Effluent 127 may further comprise olefins, primarily phenylcyclohexene isomers, at a non-negligible amount. It may be desirable to subject effluent 127 to hydrogenation to reduce olefin concentrations, and subsequently recycle the hydrogenated effluent 127 to an earlier step such as cyclohexylbenzene oxidation to convert at least a portion of it to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide, such that the overall yield of the process is improved.

[0087] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to the process/system shown in FIG. 1, but comprising modified fluid communications between and/or within the first distillation column Tl and the hydrogenation reactor Rl. In this figure, the hydrogenation reaction product 115 comprises residual hydrogen, as in the example shown in FIG. 1. Effluent 115 is first delivered into separation drum Dl, where a hydrogen- rich vapor stream 117a is obtained, compressed by a compressor 118, and then delivered to reactor Rl as a stream 117b together with fresh, make-up hydrogen stream 111 into reactor Rl. A liquid stream 119 is obtained from separation drum Dl, then divided into multiple streams (two recycle streams 119a and 119b shown in FIG. 2), recycled to two different locations on the side of column Tl, one below the location where the first middle effluent 107 is taken (shown at approximately the same level as feed 103), and the other above the location where the first middle effluent 107 is drawn. This modified recycle fluid communication between the hydrogenation reactor Rl and the first distillation column Tl compared to FIG. 1 has surprising advantages. It was found that where the recycle liquid stream 119 is fed to one location only, such as at a location above the first middle effluent 107, bicyclohexane is continuously produced in reactor Rl from the cyclohexylbenzene in stream 107, and then steadily accumulates in column Tl to such high concentration that a separate phase can form, interfering with effective product separation in column Tl. On the other hand, where the recycle stream 119 is recycled back to column Tl at multiple locations on Tl (as shown in FIG. 2), the probability of forming a separate bicyclohexane phase inside Tl is drastically reduced or eliminated. Such a configuration, then, may substantially reduce the presence of impurities such as bicyclohexane in the final cyclohexanone product. [0088] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 comprising modified fluid communications and/or heat transfer arrangement between and/or within the first distillation column Tl and the cyclohexanone purification column T2. In this figure, the hydrogenation reactor Rl and its peripheral equipment are not shown. In this figure, the first middle effluent 107 drawn from column Tl is divided into multiple streams (two streams 107a and 107b shown), one of which (107a) is delivered to the hydrogenation reactor Rl (not shown) as hydrogenation feed, and the other (107b) to a heat exchanger 131 in fluid and thermal communication with the cyclohexanone purification column T2. In this figure, the bottom stream 125 (e.g., comprising a mixture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol) from column T2 is divided into three streams: stream 135 which passes through heat exchanger 131 and is heated by stream 107b; stream 139 which is heated by a heat exchanger 141 and then recycled to column T2; and stream 145, which is delivered to storage S9 via pump 147. Stream 107b becomes a cooler stream 133 after passing through heat exchanger 131, and is then subsequently recycled to first distillation column Tl at one or more locations, at least one of which is located above the location where the first middle effluent 107 is drawn. A heat management scheme as illustrated in FIG. 3 can significantly improve the energy efficiency of the overall process and system.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 - 3, but comprising a tubular heat exchanger- type hydrogenation reactor. This figure illustrates an example where the hydrogenation reactor Rl operates under hydrogenation conditions such that a majority of the phenol and/or cyclohexylbenzene present in the reaction media inside the reactor Rl are in vapor phase. In this figure, the first middle effluent 107 taken from the first distillation column Tl is first combined with hydrogen feeds (including fresh make-up hydrogen stream 111 and recycle hydrogen stream 117b), heated by a heat exchanger 153 and then delivered to a tubular heat-exchanger type hydrogenation reaction Rl having hydrogenation catalyst installed inside the tubes 157. A stream of cooling media 159 such as cold water supplied from storage Sl l passes through the shell of the exchanger/reactor Rl and exits the reactor Rl as a warm stream 161 and is then delivered to storage SI 3, thereby a significant amount of heat released from phenol hydrogenation reaction is carried away, maintaining the temperature inside the reactor Rl in a range from 140°C to 300°C (preferably about 220°C to about 260°C, such as about 240°C), and an absolute pressure inside the reactor Rl in a range from 100 kPa to 400 kPa (preferably about 180 kPa to about 220 kPa, such as about 200 kPa). Alternatively, the cooling medium may comprise at least a portion of the hydrogenation feed in liquid phase, such that at least a portion of the feed is vaporized, and at least a portion of the vapor feed is then fed to the hydrogenation reactor Rl.

[0090] Because heat transfer of a vapor phase is not as efficient as a liquid phase, and the phenol hydrogenation reaction is highly exothermic, it is highly desired that heat transfer is carefully managed in such vapor phase hydrogenation reactor. Other types of reactors suitable for a liquid phase reaction can be used as well. For example, fixed-bed reactors configured to have intercooling capability and/or quenching options, so that the heat generated in the reaction can be taken away sufficiently quickly to maintain the reaction media in a desirable temperature range.

[0091] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 - 4, but comprising three fixed bed hydrogenation reactors R3, R5, and R7 connected in series. This figure illustrates an example where the hydrogenation reactors operate under hydrogenation conditions such that a majority of the phenol and/or cyclohexylbenzene present in the reaction media inside the reactors R3, R5, and R7 are in liquid phase. In this figure, the first middle effluent 107 taken from the first distillation column Tl is first combined with hydrogen feeds (including fresh make-up hydrogen stream 111 and recycle hydrogen stream 117b) to form a feed stream 151, then heated by a heat exchanger 153, and then delivered as stream 155 to a first hydrogenation reactor R3 having a catalyst bed 167 inside. A portion of the phenol is converted to cyclohexanone in reactor R3, releasing a moderate amount of heat raising the temperature of the reaction media. Effluent 169 exiting reactor R3 is then cooled down by heat exchanger 171, and then delivered into a second fixed bed reactor R5 having a catalyst bed 175 inside. A portion of the phenol contained in the reaction media is converted to cyclohexanone in reactor R5, releasing a moderate amount of heat raising the temperature inside the reactor R5. Effluent 177 exiting reactor R5 is then cooled down by heat exchanger 179, and then delivered to a third fixed bed hydrogenation reactor R7 having a catalyst bed 183 inside. A portion of the phenol contained in the reaction media is converted to cyclohexanone in reactor R7, releasing a moderate amount of heat raising the temperature inside the reactor R7. Effluent 185 exiting reactor R7 is then cooled down by heat exchanger 187, and delivered to drum Dl, where a vapor phase 117a and a liquid phase 119 are obtained. By using multiple reactors in the hydrogenation reaction zone, and the use of heat exchangers between adjacent reactors and after each reactor, temperatures inside the reactors R3, R5, and R7 are each independently maintained in a range from 140°C to 300°C (preferably about 220°C to about 260°C, such as about 240°C), and the absolute pressures inside reactors R3, R5, and R7 are each independently maintained in a range from 375 kPa to 1200 kPa (preferably about 1000 to about 1200 kPa, such as about 1134 kPa). In general, higher temperature favors the production of cyclohexanol over cyclohexanone. Thus, it is highly desirable that the hydrogenation is conducted at a temperature no higher than 220°C.

[0092] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to the process/system shown in FIGs. 1-5, but comprising modified fluid communications between and/or within the first distillation column Tl and the hydrogenation reactor Rl. In this figure, two middle effluents, including a first middle effluent 107a and a second middle effluent 107b, are drawn from the side of the first distillation column Tl. The two effluents 107a and 107b have differing compositions, and are combined to form a feed 107, which is then combined with hydrogen feed streams 111 and 117b and delivered to the hydrogenation reactor(s). Drawing two middle effluents with different compositions at different locations have unexpected technical advantages. It was found that if only one middle effluent is drawn from a single location on column Tl, certain undesirable components, such as hydroxycyclohexanone(s), can accumulate in column Tl. It is believed that hydroxycyclohexanone(s) can undergo dehydration to form cyclohexenone, which can cause fouling inside column Tl. By drawing middle effluents at different height locations on the column, one can effectively reduce the accumulation of such undesirable components and the probability of fouling inside the column.

[0093] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of an exemplary process/system of the present disclosure similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 - 6, but comprising an anterior sorbent bed SBa before the first distillation column Tl configured for removing at least a portion of the S-containing components and/or the light components (especially catalyst poison components) from a crude feed (crude mixture) to reduce or prevent catalyst poisoning in the hydrogenation reactor. A preferred anterior sorbent bed SBa according to some embodiments comprises an Amberlyst® A21 sorbent bed, although other sorbent beds (e.g., a stronger basic ion exchange resin such as Amberlyst® A26) could be used in addition or instead. A crude mixture feed stream 102 is first passed through the sorbent bed SBa, in which a basic solid-phase sorbent material described above is installed. Alternatively, where the total concentration of catalyst poison components (e.g., the S-containing components and other light components capable of poisoning the hydrogenation catalyst) in the crude mixture stream 102 is exceedingly high, an anterior distillation column (not shown) may be used before the anterior sorbent bed SBa, so as to remove a portion of the catalyst poison components from the first mixture fed into the first distillation column. Instead or in addition, one or more additional anterior sorbent beds (also not shown in FIG. 7) may be utilized, any one or more of which may be the same or different from the anterior sorbent bed SBa. For instance, a suitable additional anterior sorbent bed could comprise a nickel sorbent, an ion exchange resin, and/or an activated carbon bed. Such sorbents may remove one or more S- containing components, and/or other catalyst poison components, and/or color bodies (i.e., impurities that impart some coloration to the feed stream 102). Desirably, upon treatment by the anterior sorbent bed SBa (and/or the optional anterior distillation column, and/or any one or more additional anterior sorbent beds), concentrations of catalyst poison components capable of poisoning the hydrogenation catalyst is reduced significantly in effluent 107 compared to in feed 102. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the ratio of concentration of catalyst poison components in the effluent 107 to the concentration of said components in the feed 102 is within the range of about 0.001 to 0.5, preferably about 0.001 to about 0.1, such as 0.001 to 0.1. For instance, the ratio of concentration of sulfuric acid in feed 102 to concentration of sulfuric acid in effluent 107 is preferably within the range of about 0.001 to about 0.1, such as 0.001 to 0.1.

[0094] FIG. 8 shows an alternative to the configuration of FIG. 7. In this figure, instead of placing an anterior sorbent bed SBa before the first distillation column Tl, a posterior sorbent bed SBp is placed behind column Tl, which receives the first middle effluent 107 as a feed, produces a treated stream 195 depleted or low in S-containing components and/or any one or more other catalyst poison components such as light acids. A preferred posterior sorbent bed SBp comprises an Amberlyst® A26 ion exchange resin, referenced previously, although other sorbent beds, such as other ion exchange resins (e.g., Amberlyst® A21) may be used. The treated stream 195 is then delivered to the hydrogenation reactor as a portion or all of the hydrogenation feed 151 together with hydrogen feeds 111 and 117b. Alternatively, where the total concentration of the catalyst poison components (such as the S-containing components and/or other poisons) in the first middle effluent 107 is exceedingly high (and/or where concentrations of other impurities with different volatilities than phenol and cyclohexanone in the first middle effluent 107 are exceedingly high) a posterior distillation column (not shown) may be installed before or after (that is, upstream of or downstream of, respectively) the sorbent bed SBp, and effluent 107 may be treated by both the posterior distillation column and the posterior sorbent bed SBp before being fed to the hydrogenation reactor Rl as at least a portion of the hydrogenation feed. Such a posterior distillation column may be used to remove either light or heavy components relative to the phenol and cyclohexanone in the first middle effluent 107. [0095] Further, other treatment options may be present instead of or in addition to the posterior distillation column (also not shown). For example, one or more additional posterior sorbent beds may be utilized, any one or more of which may be the same or different from the posterior sorbent bed SBp. Preferably, at least one additional posterior sorbent bed is different from the posterior sorbent bed SBp. For instance, a particularly suitable additional posterior sorbent bed comprises a nickel sorbent. Such a sorbent may remove S-containing components and/or other catalyst poison components from the effluent 107. It may also remove color bodies (e.g., trace byproducts that impart some degree of coloration to the effluent 107). Alternatively or in addition, at least one additional posterior sorbent bed may comprise an activated carbon sorbent. Desirably, upon treatment by one or more of (i) the posterior sorbent bed SBp, (ii) the posterior distillation column, and (iii) one or more additional posterior sorbent beds, concentrations of S-containing components capable of poisoning the hydrogenation catalyst are reduced significantly in the hydrogenation feed compared to in effluent 107. Preferably, concentrations of any other impurities, including other catalyst poison components and/or impurities having different volatilities from phenol and cyclohexanone, are also reduced. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 (employing a posterior sorbent bed SBp), the ratio of concentration of catalyst poison components (including S-containing components and other light components capable of poisoning the hydrogenation catalyst) in the effluent 107 to the concentration of said components in the hydrogenation feed is within the range of about 0.001 to 0.5, preferably about 0.001 to about 0.1, such as 0.001 to 0.1. For instance, the ratio of concentration of sulfuric acid in the hydrogenation feed to concentration of sulfuric acid in effluent 107 is preferably within the range of about 0.001 to about 0.1, such as 0.001 to 0.1.

[0096] If necessary, in some embodiments, both (i) the anterior treatment mechanism described in connection with FIG. 7 (e.g., one or both of the anterior distillation column and the anterior sorbent) and (ii) the posterior treatment mechanism described in connection with FIG. 8 (e.g., one or more of the posterior distillation column, the posterior sorbent bed, and the one or more additional posterior sorbent beds) may be used to prevent catalyst poison components (including the S-containing components) from entering into the hydrogenation reactor(s) at an unacceptably high concentration. The anterior and posterior sorbents, and/or the optional additional posterior sorbent(s), can be the same or different, and may each independently be selected from: massive nickel, activated carbon, ion exchange resins (such as strong and weak anion resins which are usually amine based), clay, kaolin, silica sorbents, alumina sorbents, molecular sieves, (i) oxides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (ii) hydroxides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (iii) carbonates of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (iv) bicarbonates of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc; (v) complexes of two or more of (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv); (vi) solid amines; (vii) ion-exchange resins; and (viii) mixtures and combinations of two or more of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and (vii). The sorbents may remove impurities such as catalyst poison components (including the S-containing components) by physical absorption or adsorption, extraction, and/or chemical reactions. Massive nickel is particularly useful for removing S- containing and N-containing poison components. However, a basic, solid-phase sorbent material such as those described above is preferable for removing sulfuric acid. A basic ion exchange resin is particularly preferable for removing acid species and/or S-containing species.

[0097] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a process/system similar to those shown in FIGs. 1 - 8 comprising a side stripper column T6 after the cyclohexanone purification column T2, configured to reduce amounts of light components from the final cyclohexanone product. In this figure, the first upper effluent 105 comprising primarily cyclohexanone and light components obtained from the first distillation column Tl and from the upper anterior stripper effluent, if any, is delivered to cyclohexanone purification column T2, where three effluents are obtained: a second upper effluent 121 rich in light components such as water and methylcyclopentanone and depleted in cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, a second middle effluent 123 rich in cyclohexanone and depleted in light components and cyclohexanol, and a second lower effluent 125 rich in cyclohexanol. Effluent 121 is first cooled down by a heat exchanger 197, then delivered to a separation drum D2 to obtain a liquid phase 199, which is recycled to column T2, and a vapor phase 201, which is cooled again by a heat exchanger 203, and delivered to another separation drum D3 to obtain a liquid phase which is partly recycled as stream 205 to drum D2, and partly delivered to storage S5, and a vapor phase 206 which can be purged. Effluent 123 is delivered to a side stripper T6 where the following streams are produced: a substantially pure cyclohexanone stream 211 in the vicinity of the bottom thereof, which is delivered to a storage S7; and a light component stream 209, which is recycled to the column T2 at a location above 123.

[0098] Additional post-hydrogenation treatment (e.g., of a phenol hydrogenation reaction effluent such as effluent 127 of FIG. 1) is also contemplated in some embodiments. For instance, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 9 (comprising further treatment by distillation and/or stripping of cyclohexanone from first distillation column Tl), the product effluent from phenol hydrogenation (e.g., hydrogenation from reactor Rl) may be subjected to one or more distillation procedures. Such additional distillation could take place in additional distillation columns, or could be effected by providing at least a portion of such phenol hydrogenation effluent to one or more of the first distillation column Tl or the cyclohexanone purification column T2 of the various embodiments just described. However, in any post-treatment of the cyclohexanone, particularly of a stream comprising the phenol hydrogenation reaction effluent, the stream should preferably not be subjected to temperatures in excess of 280°F (137.8°C), as it has been found that subjecting a phenol hydrogenation effluent to such temperatures may substantially increase the amount of cyclohexene present in the final product. Preferably, the product of any phenol hydrogenation is not subjected to temperatures in excess of 250°F (121.1°C), most preferably not in excess of 235°F (112.8°C), so as to minimize or avoid the formation of additional cyclohexene that could be present in the final product cyclohexanone composition. This includes operation of a distillation column such that temperature at or below the withdrawal point of a cyclohexanone-containing stream is in excess of the aforementioned temperatures, and further includes operation of a reboiler associated with any such distillation column, through which a product stream or a portion of a product stream may pass.

Cyclohexanone Compositions

[0099] In various embodiments, the methods and/or systems described herein create compositions that are rich in cyclohexanone (also referred to as cyclohexanone compositions).

[00100] Preferably, the cyclohexanone composition comprises at least 99 wt% cyclohexanone, based on the total weight of the cyclohexanone composition. More preferably, the cyclohexanone composition comprises at least 99.9 wt%, such as at least 99.94 wt%, 99.95, or even 99.99 wt% cyclohexanone.

[00101] The cyclohexanone composition may further comprise one or more cyclohexanone impurities selected from the following compounds: benzene, cyclohexene, pentanal, cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol, and phenol. As used herein, a "cyclohexanone impurity" is any compound other than cyclohexanone or water, which is typically acceptable in commercially available cyclohexanone compositions in small amounts. In the present invention, water is advantageously present in the cyclohexanone composition in amounts of 0.15 wt% or less, such as 0.1 wt% or less, or 0.05 wt% or less, based on total weight of the cyclohexanone composition. Preferably, the total amount of cyclohexanone impurities is 500 wppm or less, more preferably 200 wppm or less, most preferably 150 wppm or less, or even 100 wppm or less, each wppm being based upon the total weight of the cyclohexanone composition. [00102] The cyclohexanone composition may comprise any one or more, two or more, three or more, or four or more of such cyclohexanone impurities. In particular embodiments, the cyclohexanone composition comprises one or both of pentanal and cyclopentanol. Compositions of such embodiments may also or instead comprise one or both of cyclohexene and cyclohexanol. The combined amount of cyclohexanone impurities in such embodiments is 200 wppm or less, preferably 100 wppm or less.

[00103] In certain embodiments, the cyclohexanone composition may consist of cyclohexanone, 0.15 wt% or less (preferably 0.1 wt% or less, most preferably 0.05 wt% or less) water, and 500 wppm or less (preferably 200 wppm or less, most preferably 100 wppm or less) of one or more cyclohexanone impurities. The cyclohexanone impurities in such embodiments are preferably selected from the group consisting of: benzene, cyclohexene, pentanal, cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol, and phenol. In certain embodiments, the cyclohexanone impurities are selected from the group consisting of: cyclohexene, pentanal, cyclopentanol, and cyclohexanol. Such compositions may consist of any one, two, three, or four of the foregoing impurities. In particular embodiments, the impurities consist of cyclohexene, pentanal, cyclopentanol, and cyclohexanol. In yet further particular embodiments, the impurities consist of (i) cyclohexene, (ii) cyclopentanol or pentanal, and (iii) cyclohexanol.

[00104] With respect to each aforementioned cyclohexanone impurity in the cyclohexanone compositions of various embodiments:

Benzene may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20 wppm. For instance, benzene may be present at 0 wppm to 5 wppm, preferably 0 wppm to 2.5 wppm.

Cyclohexene may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20 wppm. For instance, cyclohexene may be present at 0 wppm to 15 wppm, such as 2.5 wppm to 15, or 5 wppm to 10 wppm.

Pentanal may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20 wppm, provided the high end of the range is greater than the low end. For instance, pentanal may be present at 0 wppm to 10 wppm, such as 1 wppm to 10 wppm, potentially 3 wppm to 7 wppm. Cyclopentanol may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 80 wppm. For instance, cyclopentanol may be present at 10 wppm to 50 wppm, such as 15 to 40 wppm, or 20 to 35 wppm.

Cyclohexanol may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 80 wppm. For instance, cyclohexanol may be present at 0 wppm to 40 wppm, such as 10 wppm to 40 wppm, for instance 12 wppm to 30 wppm, or 10 wppm to 20 wppm. [00105] In various embodiments, any one or more of these cyclohexanone impurities may have been generated in situ during a process for making cyclohexanone (i.e., they were not added from an external source). For instance, any one or more of the cyclohexanone impurities may have been formed during the phenol hydrogenation reaction. This is particularly likely for cyclohexanone impurities such as cyclohexanol, cyclohexene, and water. Additionally, any trace amount of unreacted phenol left over from the hydrogenation reaction may remain as a cyclohexanone impurity in some embodiments. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, at least a portion of the cyclohexene may have been produced at least in part during distillation or other treatment of all or part of the phenol hydrogenation reaction effluent (i.e., the products of hydrogenation of the hydrogenation feed comprising cyclohexanone and phenol, such as takes place in Rl of FIG. 1). As already noted, however, such amounts of cyclohexene may be minimized by avoiding subjecting said all or part of the phenol hydrogenation reaction effluent to temperatures in excess of 280°F, preferably avoiding temperatures in excess of 250°F, most preferably avoiding temperatures in excess of 235°F.

[00106] Further, in various embodiments, all or at least part of the pentanal and/or cyclopentanol may be formed either before or after (i.e., upstream or downstream of, respectively) hydrogenation of the hydrogenation feed comprising cyclohexanone and phenol. For instance, in some embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 1, 7, and/or 8, pentanal and/or cyclopentanol may be formed in the first distillation column Tl. In yet other embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 7 and/or 8, pentanal and/or cyclopentanol may be formed in a posterior distillation column and/or an anterior distillation column used to pre-treat hydrogenation reaction feed. In yet further embodiments, pentanal and/or cyclopentanol may be formed in any distillation column or other treatment to which all or a portion of the phenol hydrogenation reaction effluent is subjected.

Uses of Cyclohexanone and Phenol

[00107] The cyclohexanone composition produced through the processes disclosed herein may be used, for example, as an industrial solvent, as an activator in oxidation reactions and in the production of adipic acid, cyclohexanone resins, cyclohexanone oxime, caprolactam, and nylons, such as nylon-6 and nylon-6,6. Thus, further embodiments may include caprolactam produced using a cyclohexanone composition according to any of the aforementioned embodiments. Likewise, further embodiments may include nylon produced using a cyclohexanone composition according to any of the aforementioned embodiments. Similarly, methods according to some embodiments may include producing one or both of caprolactam and nylon using a cyclohexanone composition according to any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[00108] The phenol produced through the processes disclosed herein may be used, for example, to produce phenolic resins, bisphenol A, ε-caprolactam, adipic acid, and/or plasticizers.

[00109] While the present invention has been described and illustrated by reference to particular embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention lends itself to variations not necessarily illustrated herein. For this reason, then, reference should be made solely to the appended claims for purposes of determining the true scope of the present invention.

[00110] The contents of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.