Ethylhexanol From Propylene and Synthesis Gas

ETHYLHEXANOL FROM PROPYLENE AND SYNTHESIS GAS

(Design of a distillation unit for the separation of n- and isobutyraldehyde) Catalyst solution

Filter (Filtration)

cobalt

Propylene Feed 93% propylene 7% propane

cobalt carbonyl (catalyst)

Oxo Reactor (Hydroformylation)

Gas-Liquid Separator 1 n-butyraldehyde isobutyraldehyde

Operating conditions: 130 oC 350 bar

(n - : iso = 4:1)

n-butanol (from 6% of n-butyraldehyde) Isobutanol (from 4% of isobutyraldehyde) 1.0 wt % butyraldehyde/butanol mixture

Synthesis gas (CO/H2 mixture) 48.6% H2 49.5% CO 0.4% CH4 1.5% N2

propane (from 3% propylene) unreacted propylene

molar ratio Synthesis Gas : Propylene 2:1

A

Gas-Liquid Separator 2

Operating conditions: 30 bar

Operating conditions: 1 atm

Steam

isobutyraldehyde stream 1.3 mol % n-butyraldehyde

Distillation Column 2

Aldehydes Heavy ends Alcohols Water

mixed butyraldehydes

Distillation Column 1

B

n-butyraldehyde stream 1.2 mol % isobutyraldehyde

alcohols

Propane Propylene Carbon Monoxide Hydrogen

catalyst

Isobutyraldehyde stream (1.3mol% n-butyraldehyde)

Cracking Unit (isobutyraldehyde cracking)

A

Propylene CO Hydrogen

Recycled to oxo-reactor

Separator (L-L Separation)

steam

water Unreacted isobutyraldehyde

2% w/w NaOH

n-butyraldehyde

B

2-ethylhexanal

Reactor (Aldol Condensation)

Reactor (Reduction) Conversion rate = 99%

2-ethyl hexanal unreacted n-butyraldehyde

Separator

Conversion efficiency=90

Raney Ni catalyst

unreacted n-butyraldehyde

Hydrogen

2-ethylhexanol (99.8% recovery) (99% w/w purity)

Books: Ray, M. & David, W. (1989).Chemical engineering design project: a case study approach. Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, New York. th

Sinnott, R. & Towler, G.(2009). Chemical engineering design. 5 ed. Elsevier, Inc. London, UK.