TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE

PROCESS FEATURES

CONSER is in position to offer technology of production of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) based on the extensive research performed in the laboratories and pilot units of the SISAS group.
CONSER has executed the complete basic design of a large TMA plant to be erected in Belgium.
The construction of the plant has been stopped due fo financial problems of the SISAS group.
Technology for production of trimellitates is also available.

REFERENCES

Company	Location	Capacity T/y
ASI	Italy	18000
EUROFTAL	Belgium	50000 (1)

(1) planned

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

The TMA technology offered by CONSER is based on the following major steps:

Reaction

The system of reaction is a liquid phase catalytic process oxidizing pseudocumene in an acetic-water solvent. The main product of the reaction is trimellitic acid.

Purification

Crude trimellitic acis is purified by evaporative crystallization followed by filtration. Solvent
containing streams are processed to recover acetic acid.

Dehydration and finishing

Trimellitic acid is converted to trimellitic anhydride in a dehydration process.
The raw TMA is freed from impurities by fractionation at high vacuum.
Purified TMA is flaked and bagged.