The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has an increased selectivity for glycerol, next to producing considerable amounts of ethyelene glycol and propylene glycol. This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has an increased selectivity for glycerol, next to producing considerable amounts of ethyelene glycol and propylene glycol. This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has a decreased selectivity for larger polyols like sorbitol and erythritol, which larger polyols are obtained generally as a side product in catalytic hydrogenolysis, when viewed in comparison to the selectivity for small alkylene glycols (like ethylene glycol and propylene glycol). This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has a decreased selectivity for larger polyols like sorbitol and erythritol, which larger polyols are obtained generally as a side product in catalytic hydrogenolysis, when viewed in comparison to the selectivity for small alkylene glycols (like ethylene glycol and propylene glycol). This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The present disclosure relates to the recovery of an alkoxide catalyst used in a process depolymerizing a polyester to form a diacid or diester and a diol. The present disclosure also relates to the recovery of an alkoxide catalyst used in a process depolymerizing polyethylene terephthalate to form dimethyl terephthalate and mono ethylene glycol.

The present disclosure relates to the recovery of an alkoxide catalyst used in a process depolymerizing a polyester to form a diacid or diester and a diol. The present disclosure also relates to the recovery of an alkoxide catalyst used in a process depolymerizing polyethylene terephthalate to form dimethyl terephthalate and mono ethylene glycol.

Ethylene glycol is prepared from a carbohydrate source in a process,

wherein hydrogen, the carbohydrate source, a liquid diluent and a catalyst system are introduced as reactants into a reaction zone;

wherein the catalyst system comprises a tungsten compound and at least one hydrogenolysis metal selected from the groups 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements;

wherein the diluent that is introduced into the reaction zone comprises an alkylene glycol; and

wherein the carbohydrate source is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst system to yield an ethylene glycol-containing product.

Ethylene glycol is prepared from a carbohydrate source in a process,

wherein hydrogen, the carbohydrate source, a liquid diluent and a catalyst system are introduced as reactants into a reaction zone;

wherein the catalyst system comprises a tungsten compound and at least one hydrogenolysis metal selected from the groups 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements;

wherein the diluent that is introduced into the reaction zone comprises an alkylene glycol; and

wherein the carbohydrate source is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst system to yield an ethylene glycol-containing product.

Ethylene glycol is prepared from a carbohydrate source by reaction of the carbohydrate source with hydrogen in a continuous process, wherein hydrogen, the carbohydrate source and a liquid diluent are continuously fed into a continuous stirred tank reactor wherein a catalyst system is present, which catalyst system comprises a tungsten compound and at least one hydrogenolysis metal selected from the groups 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, to achieve the reaction between the carbohydrate source and hydrogen to ethylene glycol; wherein continuously a product mixture comprising ethylene glycol and diluent is removed from the continuous stirred tank reactor; and wherein continuously or periodically further at least a tungsten compound is added to the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR).

Ethylene glycol is prepared from a carbohydrate source by reaction of the carbohydrate source with hydrogen in a continuous process, wherein hydrogen, the carbohydrate source and a liquid diluent are continuously fed into a continuous stirred tank reactor wherein a catalyst system is present, which catalyst system comprises a tungsten compound and at least one hydrogenolysis metal selected from the groups 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, to achieve the reaction between the carbohydrate source and hydrogen to ethylene glycol; wherein continuously a product mixture comprising ethylene glycol and diluent is removed from the continuous stirred tank reactor; and wherein continuously or periodically further at least a tungsten compound is added to the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR).