INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR FLUORO-OLEFIN PRODUCTION

Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of HFO-1234yf from TCP in three integrated steps that include hydrofluorination of TCP (tetrachloropropene) to HCFC-1233xf in the vapor phase followed by hydrofluorination of HCFC-1233xf to HCFC-244bb in the liquid phase which is then followed by dehydrochlorination in liquid or vapor phase to produce HFO-1234yf. The vapor phase hydrofluorination is carried out at a higher pressure than the liquid phase hydrofluorination, thereby eliminating the need for compression and/or intermediate recovery. Also, any HCl generated from this reaction is fed to the liquid phase hydrofluorination section to promote agitation and mixing. This results in a more economical process from an initial capital and operating cost versus conducting the 3-steps sequentially.