TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FUMARIC ACID
PROCESS FEATURES
Fumaric acid is a crystalline, stable product which has a good market in plastics, food, feed, softdrinks, pharmaceuticals.
The fumaric acid process of CONSER is simple, commercially proven and produces product of high purity, processing either maleic acid contained in the exhaust water of phthalic anhydride plants or maleic acid solution obtained by dissolving maleic anhydride in water.
REFERENCES
(1) planned
Location S.I.R. Italy CIQUINE Brasil 5000 PANTOCHIM Belgium 10000
PROCESS DESCRIPTION
The CONSER fumaric acid process consists of the following steps:
• Isomerization
• Raw fumaric acid recovery
• Fumaric acid purification
Isomerization
The maleic acid solution is readily converted to fumaric acid: the isomerization takes place in a stirred reactor operating at moderate pressure and temperature in presence of a catalyst.
Raw fumaric acid recovery
Raw fumaric acid (technical grade) is separated from the effluent of reaction in crystallization and centrifugation units.
Fumaric acid purification
The crystals of raw fumaric acid are dissolved in water. In order to upgrade the product to high quality level (food grade) the solution is passed over a clarifying filter.
The recovery of pure fumaric acid is brought about via crystallization, centrifugation and drying.
