TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL ANHYDRIDES

PROCESS FEATURES

CONSER is in position to offer technology of production of special anhydrides including tetra (THPA) and hexahydrophthalic anhydrides (HHPA), or methyltetra (MTHPA) and methyl-hexa (MHHPA) derivatives.
THPA and MTHPA are produced by the Diels-Alder reaction of maleic anhydride respectively with butadiene or isoprene.
HHPA and MHHPA are produced by hydrogenating either THPA or MTHPA

 

 

REFERENCES

Company	Location	Capacity T/y
SISAS	Italy	25000 (1)

(1) planned

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

The technologies offered by CONSER are based on the following major steps:

• Reaction
• Purification
• Hydrogenation

Reaction

Units are typically batch operated, although a design based on continuous operation may be provided.
The batch mode of operation allows flexibility in production of alternative products (including the ASA types).
The reaction, operating a nearly atmospheric pressure and at moderate temperature, is relatively fast and easy to control.

Purification

Reaction effluent, collected in an holding vessel, is transfered to a distillation unit.
The light ends distillate, a mixture of maleic anhydride and product, is recycled to the reaction. The anhydride product is subsequently separated from the heavy ends as an overhead product.

Hydrogenation

In case of production of the methylderivatives, the purified anhydride is hydrogenated in presence of a suitable catalyst.
Batch operation is preferred to allow flexibility in production.
The sequence of operations includes the purification of the crude product by distillation.