Production of 100(Ton/Day) Acetone From Isopropyl Alcohol

Date : Jan 2017 - Aug 2017

This method, also known as dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol, accounts for most of the acetone production not obtained from cumene. The vapour is passed over a brass, copper or other catalyst at 400-500°C, and a yield of about 95% is achieved. This process is carried out at high temperatures, and a 97% yield is theoretically possible at 325°C. The dehydrogenation is carried out in a tubular reactor with conversions in the range of 75-95 mol%. One method employs two reactors: the first stage operates in a tubular reactor at 420-550°C to convert up to 70% of the alcohol to acetone, then the second stage employs an unheated fixed-bed reactor with the same catalyst used in the tube reaction to complete the conversion at about 85% yield. After the overall reaction, a number of by-products are also formed along with the acetone, and they are removed following a series of steps. The resultant mixture is cooled and non-condensable gases are scrubbed with water. Then the liquids are fractionally distilled, effectively separating acetone from the undesired by-products. Chemical process: CH3CHOHCH3 CH3COCH3 + H2