Analysis of the explosion cause of 1.4-butynediol waste catalyst (copper acetylide)
Thread Content
Analysis of the explosion cause of 1,4-butanediol waste catalyst (copper acetylide). In the early hours of August 9, 2016, an explosion occurred in a waste catalyst storage tank at a company that produces 1,4-butanediol (BDO); the extent of the losses is still being determined. Currently, the company has suspended production for rectification. Everyone is welcome to discuss the reasons for the explosion of 1.4-butynediol waste catalyst (copper acetylide).
1.4 Butynediol catalyst: The Invista process uses basic copper carbonate, which is inactive; it needs to be activated in an environment of formaldehyde and acetylene, and only after activation does it turn into copper acetylide and become active.
Under the action of a copper acetylene catalyst, formaldehyde and acetylene react to form 1,4-butynediol, which is converted into 1,4-butanediol after hydrogenation – namely what we refer to as BDO. After being used for about three to four months, the activity of the copper acetylene catalyst declines, its particles become finer, and the resistance increases; at that point, the catalyst needs to be replaced.
When the catalyst’s activity declines and the reaction temperature, pressure difference, and formaldehyde concentration reach certain levels, even reducing the production load fails to ensure normal product extraction, and it is time to replace the catalyst. The catalyst in the reactor is sent to the Fe catalyst storage tank (180 m3) for storage. The tank that exploded at the company was used to store catalysts, and the explosive hazards included: catalysts (copper acetylide), formaldehyde, methanol, butanol, and acetylene.
A 100,000-ton BDO plant uses 20 tons of catalyst per batch, while a 60,000-ton BDO plant uses 14.5 tons of catalyst per batch. The spent catalyst is stored in tanks; filtration begins either after each batch or once a certain amount has accumulated. The filtrate is returned to the system, while the filter cake is packed into barrels for disposal by specialized treatment facilities.
The Invidia process uses basic copper carbonate; the BDO manufacturers in China use both imported products and domestic ones – such as RK-15 produced by Dalian Rike Technology Co., Ltd. The explosive device used products from Dalian Rick in Phase 1, while the explosive device in Phase 2 was of a different type.
Isn’t it supposed to be recycled? What’s the point of having an entire storage tank if it’s just creating problems for itself?
This catalyst is dangerous, but it is not if managed properly.