HARDWARE AND PROCESS OPTIMIZATION OF PRODUCTION UNIT FOR CONCENTRATING ISOPROPYL BENZENE HYDROPEROXIDE IN THE COURSE OF PHENOL PRODUCTION BY CUMENE PROCESS

摘要

This paper discusses one of the stages of cumene process of phenol and acetone production, namely distillation of an intermediate compound, isopropyl benzene hydroperoxide. Said stage is the most challenging as to the process safety. Isopropyl benzene hydroperoxide is an oily liquid prone to spontaneous explosive decomposition. Risk of decomposition of this product during the distillation process depends on such parameters as temperature, pressure and its concentration in the still. Currently the distillation is performed by means of a series of two or three columns to fulfill two requirements: required separation efficiency and sufficient vacuum in the stills of the columns to prevent thermal decomposition of the isopropyl benzene hydroperoxide (IPB HP). To maintain vacuum in the two-column system, two multistage steam jet injectors have to be used, leading to high energy consumption. We’ve performed an analysis of the process parameters and safety requirements of IPB HP concentrating process and determined the decomposition-safe pressure-temperature thresholds depending on the concentration of hydroperoxide. Simulation of a IPB HP unit using algorithsms of optimization of single-column distillation units has shown that the distillation process can be optimized into a single stage using regular packing, which is characterized by much lower flow resistance compared to other types of contact devices. Such optimization leads to significant energy saving and increased process safety. The proposed technical solutions can be implemented on existing phenol and acetone production installations without significant capital expenditures.