Acetic Acid → Hydrogen Peroxide

Participants

Reaction Steps

Referring to FIG. 1 an arrangement useful for epoxidizing an olefin in a batchwise manner is illustated. Epoxidation reactor 1 initially is filled with an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound such as an olefin via conduit 10. An acid stream comprising an aqueous mixture of hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and peracetic acid then is introduced into reactor 1 through conduit 11 for contacting the oil phase. The acid stream flows through reactor 1; is separately recovered from the oil phase in conduit 12, and is deliverd by circulating pump 5 to regeneration stage 2. In regeneration stage 2, peracetic acid is formed by the catalytic reaction between hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid or acetic anhydride. Additional hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid or acetic anhydride are added to the recirculating acid in conduit 12 via pumps 3 and 4 respectively. A quantity of liquid necessary to balance the addition of new components to the acid stream is removed through conduit 13. The regenerated aqueous acid phase then is returned to reactor 1 through conduit 11. Once the oil phase has been completely epoxidized, the epoxide product is removed from reactor 1 through valved conduit 27.

Provenance & Evidence