A method of producing methanol is disclosed. The method involves adding alkali to crude methanol and distilling the crude methanol in one or more distillation columns. The method also includes flowing a vapor side draw from one of the distillation columns, where the vapor side draw comprises fusel oil substantially free from alkali. The fusel oil is recycled to a methanol synthesis reactor and/or a MTBE synthesis reactor.

A method of producing methanol is disclosed. The method involves adding alkali to crude methanol and distilling the crude methanol in one or more distillation columns. The method also includes flowing a vapor side draw from one of the distillation columns, where the vapor side draw comprises fusel oil substantially free from alkali. The fusel oil is recycled to a methanol synthesis reactor and/or a MTBE synthesis reactor.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-isopentyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, said process comprising the steps of: i) contacting iso-valderaldehyde with an aqueous solution of a hydroxide base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) or a combination thereof, said solution having an amount of said hydroxide base of at least 20% w/v, and (m)ethanol; to form (2Z)-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal; step ii) contacting (2Z)-2-iso-propyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal with a reducing system to form 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanal; step iii) contacting 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanal with formaldehyde and an inorganic base to form 2-isopentyl-2-isopropylpropane-1,3-diol; and step iv) contacting 2- isopentyl-2-isopropylpropane-1,3-diol with a methylation agent and a base to form 2-isopentyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-isopentyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, said process comprising the steps of: i) contacting iso-valderaldehyde with an aqueous solution of a hydroxide base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) or a combination thereof, said solution having an amount of said hydroxide base of at least 20% w/v, and (m)ethanol; to form (2Z)-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal; step ii) contacting (2Z)-2-iso-propyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal with a reducing system to form 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanal; step iii) contacting 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanal with formaldehyde and an inorganic base to form 2-isopentyl-2-isopropylpropane-1,3-diol; and step iv) contacting 2- isopentyl-2-isopropylpropane-1,3-diol with a methylation agent and a base to form 2-isopentyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane.

The present invention is directed to, among other things, processes for purifying polyether polyols via treatment with an ion exchange resin in which the ion exchange resin is disposed in a container that is operated liquid-full.

A method for purifying a specific trityl group-containing monodispersed polyethylene glycol from a mixture containing the trityl group-containing monodispersed polyethylene glycol and a specific ditritylated impurity. The method includes performing steps (A), (B) and (C). Step (A): a step of esterifying the hydroxyl group of the trityl group-containing monodispersed polyethylene glycol by a specific method; Step (B): a step of extracting the esterified compound by a specific method; and Step (C): a step of hydrolyzing the esterified compound to obtain the trityl group-containing monodispersed polyethylene glycol.

The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H.sub.2 and CO.sub.x, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H.sub.2 to CO.sub.x in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H.sub.2 and CO.sub.x, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H.sub.2 to CO.sub.x in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

A system and process for the recovery of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon from a gas stream. The recovery includes adsorption by exposing the gas stream to an adsorbent with a lattice structure having pore diameters with an average pore opening of between about 5 and about 50 angstroms. The adsorbent is then regenerated by exposing the adsorbent to a purge gas under conditions which efficiently desorb the at least one adsorbed halogenated hydrocarbon from the adsorbent. The at least one halogenated hydrocarbon (and impurities or reaction products) can be condensed from the purge gas and subjected to fractional distillation to provide a recovered halogenated hydrocarbon.

A system and process for the recovery of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon from a gas stream. The recovery includes adsorption by exposing the gas stream to an adsorbent with a lattice structure having pore diameters with an average pore opening of between about 5 and about 50 angstroms. The adsorbent is then regenerated by exposing the adsorbent to a purge gas under conditions which efficiently desorb the at least one adsorbed halogenated hydrocarbon from the adsorbent. The at least one halogenated hydrocarbon (and impurities or reaction products) can be condensed from the purge gas and subjected to fractional distillation to provide a recovered halogenated hydrocarbon.