Process for the separation of cyclohexanol from aqueous solutions containing it as well as aromatic sulfonic acids

摘要

Process for the separation of cyclohexanol from aqueous solutions which contain it and aromatic sulphonic acids and which have been obtained by hydration of cyclohexene in aqueous solutions of aromatic sulphonic acids at elevated temperature and subsequent removal of excess cyclohexene, by steam distillation, characterised in that… a) the aqueous solution containing cyclohexanol and aromatic sulphonic acids is fed to the upper third of a first column and 1 to 50 parts by weight of steam per part by weight of cyclohexanol are fed to the lower third of the column, and the vapours essentially consisting of cyclohexanol, cyclohexene and water are drawn off at the top of the column, and an aqueous solution of aromatic sulphonic acids is obtained at the bottom… b) the vapours essentially consisting of cyclohexanol and cyclohexene plus water are condensed and… b1) a phase rich in cyclohexanol and… b2) an aqueous phase are obtained… c) the aqueous phase (b2) is used for generating the steam required in stage a, and any residue which remains is used for the hydration of cyclohexene, and… d) the phase rich in cyclohexanol (b1) is distilled in a second column to give a mixture of cyclohexene, water and, where appropriate, cyclohexanol at the top, and cyclohexanol as bottom product.