By product stream purification in the preparation of 1,3-propanediol-based polyesters
 A process for preparing a 1,3-propanediol-based polyester comprises contacting an aqueous stream containing acrolein byproduct with a base for a time effective to reduce the acrolein content of the aqueous stream. In a specific embodiment, a poly(propylene terephthalate) preparation process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid at elevated temperature to produce a reaction product mixture comprising a poly(propylene terephthalate) and an aqueous solution comprising acrolein; (b) removing a major portion of the aqueous solution from said reaction product mixture; (c) adding a sufficient quantity of a base to the aqueous solution to form a basic solution having a pH greater than about 7.5 and maintaining the basic solution for a time effective to lower the acrolein content thereof; (d) optionally, diluting the basic solution with water; and (e) optionally, biotreating the dilute basic solution for a time effective to further lower the acrolein content. The process of the invention provides a polyester byproduct stream containing reduced levels of acrolein. 
Shell Oil Company
C
C08G
inventional
Donald R. Charles C.-S.
Kelsey Chou