TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE
PROCESS FEATURES
MIBK is a powerful solvent widely used in various applications, like cellulose lacquers, natural and synthetic resins, adhesives, as extraction agent and as intermediate in various organic synthesis.
Due to his collaboration with SISAS, CONSER is in position to offer a well estabilished and reliable MIBK technology. The process produces MIBK of high purity and at a competitive cost of production.
REFERENCES
Location SISAS Italy 15000
PROCESS DESCRIPTION
The methyl isobutyl technology offered by CONSER is based on the following major steps:
• Reaction
• Neutralization
• Distillation
Reaction
MIBK is produced by using acetone as feedstock, in a reaction system where condensation, dehydration and hydrogenation take place.
Acetone is first converted to mesityl oxide (MSO) by condensation and dehydration in pre-sence of a bifunctional catalyst.
MSO is following catalitically hydrogenated to yield MIBK.
Neutralization
The effluent of reaction is slightly acid due to presence of some acidic organic compounds and traces of hydrogen ions released by the catalyst.
The acidic compounds are neutralized with alkali to avoid the formation of by products affecting the purity of the product.
Distillation
In a sequence of distillation columns are separated the light ends, the water formed in the reaction, a non reacted fraction of acetone (which is recycled to the reaction) residual MSO (which is also recycled) and the heavy ends, yielding MIBK of high purity.
