Isopropyl Alcohol Production Process
Isopropyl Alcohol Production Process
Isopropyl Alcohol, also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol, is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor.
Isopropyl Alcohol, also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol, is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor. As an organic polar molecule, Isopropyl Alcohol is miscible with water, ethanol, and chloroform, demonstrating its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances including ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl butyral, oils, alkaloids, and natural resins.
Chemical
Identity
Isopropyl Alcohol, also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol, is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor.
Solvent
Behavior
As an organic polar molecule, Isopropyl Alcohol is miscible with water, ethanol, and chloroform.
Production
Routes
At present, Isopropyl Alcohol is industrially produced through two major routes: acetone hydrogenation and propylene hydration.
and Chemical Uses
The main applications of Isopropyl Alcohol are as a chemical intermediate and as a solvent in the manufacturing of cements, primers, paints, varnishes, skin cleaners, perfumes, lotions, shampoos, and deodorants. It is also used as a disinfectant and antiseptic.
Process Overview
Isopropyl Alcohol was among the first petrochemical products to be industrially manufactured. It has been produced since 1920.
At that time, Isopropanol was produced through the indirect hydration of propylene, a process that uses sulfuric acid to react with propylene and generate an intermediate compound that reacts with water to produce Isopropanol.
Today, Isopropanol is one of the most produced lower alcohols, ranking third in commercial production after methanol and ethanol.
Industrial Production Routes
Industrial Production Routes
2 Commercial Routes
Hydration Method
The present analysis approaches Isopropanol production from polymer grade (PG) propylene. The process under analysis comprises two major sections:
Polymer grade propylene is mixed with water, vaporized, superheated to the required reaction temperature, and fed to the reactor. The reaction forms Isopropyl Alcohol along with minor amounts of side products, including diisopropyl ether, n-propyl alcohol, and acetone.
The reactor product stream is sent to a washing column, where Isopropyl Alcohol and side products are absorbed in water and separated from unreacted propylene. The washing column liquid effluent is routed to purification, while the gaseous overhead product is compressed and recycled to the reactor.
The crude Isopropanol is directed to a light ends column, where diisopropyl ether generated in side reactions is separated. The ether-free crude Isopropanol is transferred to the azeotrope column for removal of water and high-boiling impurities. The overhead product from this column comprises an azeotropic mixture of Isopropanol and water. This mixture is separated by azeotropic distillation using an azeotroping agent, and the separated water leaves the process as wastewater.
Hydrogenation Method
Hydrogenation of acetone to produce Isopropanol mainly includes three sections:
Among these three sections, only the synthesis section involves chemical reactions.
The application of the acetone hydrogenation method in Isopropanol production is not as widespread as the direct hydration method because it has high raw material requirements and large feedstock demand, which may reduce economic benefits. However, this method still has advantages, including lower energy consumption and less corrosion to production equipment.
Comparison
From the catalyst perspective, nickel catalyst is expensive but has a long life. Waste catalyst can be recycled, and environmental protection pressure is low.
The price of acidic catalyst is relatively low, but its service life is short and catalyst loss occurs during the reaction process. The catalyst needs to be continuously supplemented during the reaction, which also corrodes the reactor.
Acetone hydrogenation reaction conditions are mild, the one-way conversion rate is high, and the reaction process is not complicated. Therefore, this project adopts the acetone hydrogenation process with nickel-based catalyst.