Which is better, alkylation or alkoxylation?
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I would like to know which is better, alkylation or alkoxylation? What are their respective performance metrics?
The alcohol-to-hydrocarbon conversion process ensures a relatively low level of inert gases in the synthesis system, but the value of the resulting hydrocarbon products is relatively low； Although the alcohol alkylation process results in a relatively higher methane content in the synthesis system, it is a convenient and easy-to-handle process. Typical representatives: Hunan Anchun (alcohol alkylation process) and Nanjing Guochang (alcohol alkanation process).
Personally, I think alkylation is better; many companies already use this method.
Our factory uses alcohol alkylation, which features a simple process and is easy to operate.
Hunan Anchun and Nanjing Guochang are in fierce competition; to determine which one is better, it’s best to look at their market share. However, from a technical standpoint, I lean toward alkylation, as it can reduce off-gas emissions after all.
It is necessary to take into account the actual conditions of each factory, as well as the technical preferences of decision-makers; technology is not the top priority at this time.
In my opinion, hydrocarbonation can reduce methane production; the gas resulting from alcohol treatment does not need to be washed with water, making the process relatively simpler. From this perspective, it is better than alcohol alkylation.
It seems that there are fewer achievements in alcohol alkylation. Is wastewater from alcohol alkylation more difficult to treat?
It depends on the conditions of each factory. For example, our factory has to supply cooking gas to tens of thousands of households within the factory area, so we use the alcohol-alkylation process provided by Nanjing Guochang; we certainly cannot use the alcohol-hydrocarbonation process. But I heard that the hydrocarbons produced by the alkolysis process are difficult to handle and can cause secondary environmental pollution. It’s best to go and check it out in person first.
I think alkoxylation is better; the main drawback is that the hydrocarbon liquids resulting from alkylation are difficult to handle； Moreover, methanation tends to increase the content of inert gases, thereby raising the system’s vent volume.
For ammonia and methanol production enterprises, is alcohol hydroformylation better? Additionally, the hydrocarbon-containing wastewater has a water content as high as 30% – is there any problem with burning it?