NOVEL REACTION SYSTEM FOR LIQUID-PHASE OXIDATION USING HIGH PURITY OXYGEN

摘要

Cyclohexanone is a key intermediate in the synthesis of nylon monomers, namely, caprolactam for Nylon 6 and adipic acid for Nylon 6,6. The primary industrial technology for cyclohexanone production is the liquid-phase air oxidation of cyclohexane catalyzed by trace levels of soluble cobalt catalysts. Due to relatively high reactivity of the cyclohexanone at typical industrial reaction conditions, cyclohexane conversion is limited to less than about four to five percent per pass with resulting selectivities to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, commonly referred to as KA Oil, of about 72 to 79 mol percent. Byproducts consist of mixtures of C_2 to C_6 mono- and dicarboxylic acids and other oxygenates which are ultimately disposed through either waste water treatment or combustion. Global nameplate capacity for KA Oil production exceeds about 3 million metric tons per year.