6 replies to this topic

[Aditya1994]

Hello Everyone. I am currently working on my final year project which is manufacturing of phenol from cumene. Cumene is first oxidized to cumene hydroperoxide and then cumene hydroperoxide is converted to phenol and acetone. I have performed mass and energy balances as of now.

I am stuck at design of cumene oxidizer. I am asked to model a bubble column for it. I have searched various sources but still couldn't find the stuff I am looking for. Can anyone help me with the design? Like, if anyone knows any particular book or have worked on such a problem in past, it would be very helpful to me as I am stuck and couldn't find much about it. Or maybe if someone can share some paper regarding this. If anyone can help with the kinetic data and modelling of bubble column, it would be a great help. If anyone wants more information, I would be happy to provide. Any help is highly appreciated and thanks in advance members. 

[latexman]

Google - "bubble cap" tray design manual

 

There are several .PDFs there.

[Bobby Strain]

I worked for years within a block of a phenol plant. But never had interest in the operation. But, I would think that one would use packing in the oxidizer to minimize the explosion risk. But maybe you can clue me in.

 

Bobby

[breizh]

Hi ,

 

A document to support your work.

 

Much more on your favorite engine

Good luck

 

 

Breizh

Edited by breizh, 04 February 2016 - 04:21 AM.

[Phenol]

Cumene oxidation to cumene hydro peroxide is done in either in high pressure oxidisers or low pressure oxidisers. Also the earlier wet oxidation of cumene is discontinued and dry oxidation is practised these days. But oxidisers are empty vessels without any internals and compressed air is bubbled through hot cumene under controlled condition to improve selectivity to CHP and reduce formation of di methyl phenyl carbinol and acetophenone. Also since it is a exothermic reaction with potential risk of CHP getting into runaway reaction, oxidisers  have high level of automation to bring it to safe condition in case of runaway condition. UOP's Mr Robert Schmidt has published a good article on this subject under title "Industrial catalytic processes - phenol production". Rajan

[Aditya1994]

Google - "bubble cap" tray design manual

 

There are several .PDFs there.

I am actually looking for design for a bubble column and not bubble cap tray which are used in distillation column I guess.

 

 

I worked for years within a block of a phenol plant. But never had interest in the operation. But, I would think that one would use packing in the oxidizer to minimize the explosion risk. But maybe you can clue me in.

 

Bobby

Explosion is one of the problems while handling cumene, so I will definitely keep in mind to use packing when designing column. But still need to start with the basic design first and then move on with complicate one. I have searched many books but didn't find a proper model to design bubble column.

 

Hi ,

 

A document to support your work.

 

Much more on your favorite engine

Good luck

 

 

Breizh

Hello, thanks for the document. It has provided me with few fundamentals which I will keep in mind while designing.

 

Cumene oxidation to cumene hydro peroxide is done in either in high pressure oxidisers or low pressure oxidisers. Also the earlier wet oxidation of cumene is discontinued and dry oxidation is practised these days. But oxidisers are empty vessels without any internals and compressed air is bubbled through hot cumene under controlled condition to improve selectivity to CHP and reduce formation of di methyl phenyl carbinol and acetophenone. Also since it is a exothermic reaction with potential risk of CHP getting into runaway reaction, oxidisers  have high level of automation to bring it to safe condition in case of runaway condition. UOP's Mr Robert Schmidt has published a good article on this subject under title "Industrial catalytic processes - phenol production". Rajan

Thanks for the information. I will search the article and find if I get some information which can help me.

[Phenol]

Illa International has done considerable work on phenol technology and cumene oxidation. Visit their web site. Also Dr Zakhoshanky has published good article when phenol technology (cumene route) celebrated its 60th year of commercialisation of the process. Rajan