Process for producing propylene oxide via coprocessing of propylene/isobutane
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This post was last edited by liuquan1100 on 2018-6-29 at 16:21. Please, chemical engineering experts, share your insights on the process of producing propylene oxide through the co-oxidation of propylene and isobutane.
The co-oxidation of propylene/isobutane to produce propylene oxide involves using tert-butyl hydroperoxide, which is obtained by reacting isobutane with pure oxygen in a liquid phase, as an epoxidizing agent, with tert-butanol (TBA) being produced as a by-product. PO/TBA process: A mixture of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and tert-butanol, obtained by reacting isobutane with pure oxygen in a liquid phase, undergoes epoxidation with propylene in the presence of a molybdenum-based catalyst. The resulting epoxidized solution is then distilled and purified to yield propylene oxide. The co-produced tert-butanol and tert-butyl hydroperoxide are treated and reused. Currently, only Lyondell and Huntsman possess PO/TBA technology; the Lyondell process is characterized by the co-production of TBA or isobutylene, while Huntsman’s process produces methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a by-product.
This post was last edited by lijianhuai on 2011-10-13 09:46. I wonder if this manufacturing process is available in China
Yantai Wanhua is preparing to set up a facility of considerable scale; it’s not clear which technology will be used.
Reply to 2# ygglenn: What are the technical challenges of this process? What is the real technical key?
There are two sets of POSM operating units available in the country, and one can go there to learn from their experience. However, confidentiality is a major issue; the challenges lie in the extremely long process flow, numerous control points, high technical requirements, and large investment costs.
There are two sets of POSM operating units available in the country, and one can go there to learn from their experience. However, confidentiality is a major issue; the challenges lie in the extremely long process flow, numerous control points, high technical requirements, and large investment costs.
Reply to 8# HT-L: Where in China is it? Is it the co-oxidation of benzene and propylene?
Reply to 9# cnsttop: The differences between Zhenhai Refining & Chemical, Lyondell in China, and CNOOC Shell in Huizhou lie in the catalysts used; Zhenhai Refining & Chemical uses liquid-phase reactions, while CNOOC Shell uses fixed-bed reactors.
Wanhua uses the co-oxidation of isobutylene and propylene to produce propylene oxide, while Huntsman employs a different process
Is it a fixed-bed production process or a liquefaction reaction?