VERFAHREN ZUR REINIGUNG VON REAKTOREN, DIE ZUR SÄURE-KATALYSIERTEN HERSTELLUNG VON BISPHENOLEN BENUTZT WURDEN

Cleaning of a reactor used in the production of bisphenols is enhanced by heating the reactor wall, for example by the introduction of steam into the shell surrounding the reactor. The steam heats the wall which lies between the shell and the interior reaction chamber, and thus facilitates melting/dissolution of bisphenol:phenol adduct that has formed on the wall on the inside of reaction chamber. The steam is introduced for a period of at least 5 minutes, and preferably for a period of from 5 to 60 minutes. In a variation of this method, a solubility-increasing composition is introduced into the reaction chamber to increase the solubility of the bisphenol during the introduction of steam. Suitable solubility-increasing compositions include hydrochloric acid and/or water, or a mixture of acetone and phenol.