Question: Analysis of the blockage issue in the condenser return pipe (with reaction principle)
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I would like to ask the experts: In my company’s production of a synthetic product, intermolecular reactions occur between *** formaldehyde, methyl acetoacetate, and ammonia (Hantzsch condensation), with ethanol being used as the solvent; the reaction takes place under reflux conditions. During production, white crystals always form inside the condensation reflux tube, which can cause blockages. What exactly are these crystals? How should this production phenomenon be addressed?
I don’t know; I’m not paying attention to this aspect
The Mannich reaction? The white substance is either an ammonium salt or something else that has been introduced into the system along with the materials with high melting points. Reactions involving amines are quite common; take a sample and have it analyzed to determine what it is. Install a small washing tower in your rising pipe (use condensate to wash the gas flowing upward; if there is plenty of condensate, add a bypass so that some of it goes directly to the reaction vessel while another portion goes into the tower), and then let the gas pass through the condenser again