Epichlorohydrin from Propylene (Allyl Alcohol Intermediate) | Economic Analysis
Epichlorohydrin Production — Technology Description & Economic Analysis
As previously mentioned, Epichlorohydrin is commonly produced from allyl chloride, derived from propylene. Production routes based on allyl alcohol and on the glycerol by-product from biodiesel production have also been used.
This article aims to present a brief process description and a condensed cost analysis of Epichlorohydrin from Propylene (Allyl Alcohol Intermediate).
Process Description
The process under analysis comprises two major sections: (1) Allyl Alcohol Synthesis; and (2) Epichlorohydrin (ECH) Production.
Allyl Alcohol Synthesis. Propylene is mixed with acetic acid and oxygen. The mixture, in the vapor phase, is passed through a fixed palladium-based catalyst bed, where the formation of allyl acetate takes place. The reactor effluent comprises allyl acetate, unreacted feeds and carbon dioxide formed by side reactions. The effluent is divided into a gaseous and a liquid stream. The gases (mostly unreacted oxygen and propylene), also containing CO2, are routed to a CO2 Removal system and then recycled to the reactor inlet. The liquid portion of the reaction effluent is transferred to the Hydrolysis reactor, where allyl acetate is converted into allyl alcohol and acetic acid. The hydrolysis product is treated in the allyl alcohol purification system, where unreacted allyl acetate and acetic acid are recovered and recycled to the hydrolysis reactor and acetoxylation reactor, respectively. An aqueous solution of allyl alcohol is transferred to the Epichlorohydrin synthesis section.
Epichlorohydrin Production. Aqueous allyl alcohol, hydrochloric acid, and gaseous hydrogen chloride are mixed and fed to the chlorination reactors, where 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol is obtained. Reaction effluent is sent to the Hydrogen Chloride Recovery column, where hydrogen chloride is recovered both as dry vapors and aqueous solution. 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol is then fed to the saponification reactor along with a calcium hydroxide slurry. The saponification reaction results in Epichlorohydrin and calcium chloride, which is removed in by means of a distillation column downstream. Finally, light and heavy impurities are separated through a last distillation step, and high-purity Epichlorohydrin is obtained.
Cost Analysis
The economic evaluation of industrial processes is a valuable support tool for a myriad of activities and studies, such as screening and assessment of investment options, preliminary evaluation of the economic potential of emerging industrial processes, rough assessment of the economic feasibility of industrial ventures, cost estimates double-checking, preliminary budget approval, research planning, and so on.
A detailed cost analysis for the manufacturing of Epichlorohydrin was developed by Intratec based on a plant constructed in 2021 Q3 in the United States with the capacity to produce 110,000 metric ton per year of Epichlorohydrin. The table below presents a few economic figures related to the process “Epichlorohydrin from Propylene (Allyl Alcohol Intermediate)”.
Where,
“Raw material costs” are the costs related to the raw materials directly consumed by the process to make the final product.
“Operating variable costs” are the costs directly proportional to the actual operating rate of the industrial site. Such costs include raw materials and utilities, i.e., steam, electricity, fuel, and refrigeration.
Main Reference
[1] Intratec. 2021. Epichlorohydrin from Propylene (Allyl Alcohol Intermediate), Advanced Edition. Available at: www.intratec.us/analysis/ech-e22a
Epichlorohydrin Production Processes
To learn more about processes related to Epichlorohydrin production, visit: www.intratec.us/analysis/epichlorohydrin-production-cost
About Intratec Commodity Production Costs Reports
The report Epichlorohydrin from Propylene (Allyl Alcohol Intermediate) is part of a series of reports prepared by Intratec approaching the production costs of commodities spanning a diverse range of industries: Oil & Energy; Fertilizers & Gases; Olefns & Derivatives; Aromatics & Derivatives; Alcohols & Organic Acids; Polymers; Inorganic Chemicals; Food & Nutrition; Metals & Mining; and Pharmaceuticals.
For information on all Intratec reports visit: www.intratec.us
