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Phenol Presentation Final ReviewAV
Phenol Presentation Final ReviewAV
AE Process
Increase Oxygen conc. in
air feed up to 30% Vent
Typically 25% O2
Increase feed flow rate
Maintain constant oxygen
concentration in
headspace
AE Installation Feed Product
Easy retrofit
Oxygen source Air
Oxygen flow control skid
Air line tee Compressor Reactor
Oxygen injector
Oxygen
Air Enrichment – Benefits for CHP/Phenol
Increased Productivity
Phenol capacity increases up to ~20% can be achieved
with feed air enrichment to 25% oxygen
The specific degree of improvement will depend on the
customer’s equipment configuration and operating
regime
Mass transfer limited reactors will realize an immediate
benefit
Kinetically limited reactors could be re-optimized (increased
temperature, increased O2 concentration) to boost rates
Formation Rate of Cumene Hydroperoxide
vs. Air Enrichment Level
Simulated Plant-Scale Reaction Rates at Two Reactor Temperatures
Mass
3 Transfer
Control
(Moles x 1000/liter-min)
Kinetic
CHP Formation Rate
Control T = 105oC
2
Average air bubble diameter of 0.50”
1
T = 90oC
Operational Benefits
Reduced gas volume compared with increasing air flow
Less potential for volatilization losses
Less potential for entrainment losses
Air Enrichment –
Customer Benefits
Production Increase Achieved 3% 5% 10%
Vent
Feed Product
Compressor Reactor
Direct Injection - Benefits
Production Increase
Increased capacity of up to 32% is possible (theoreticaly –
não mencionar para o caso específico de fenol)
By-product Reduction
Oxygen supplied to oxygen deficient regions of the
reactor
Decrease reactions associated with oxygen starvation
Summary
Air Enrichment is a proven technique for increasing
the productivity of plants making phenol/acetone via
cumene peroxidation
No reactor modification; modest capital investment
Direct Oxygen Injection is a developmental
technology that can further enhance the efficiency of
liquid phase oxidations
Praxair can assist with engineering support for the
evaluation and implementation of AE and DOI
Safety evaluations
Plant trial support
Customers
• Oxygen Addition Knowledge Oxygen • Capacity Increase
Addition
• Oxygen Delivery Technology • Yield Improvements
• Oxygen Production • Process Improvements
• Safety / Materials Compatibility • Operation Improvements
Next Steps?