Abstract
The most recent reactor technology to produce non-ionic surfactants via ethoxylation reaction is illustrated in the present work. The most advanced reactors are deeply illustrated for what concerns the working principle and the main performance. In detail, Venturi Loop Reactor (VLR), Spray Tower Loop Reactor (STLR) and Enhanced Loop Reactor (ELR) are depicted, and the related performance compared. ELR shows the highest flexibility, to reach the desired ethoxylation degree, and at the same time good performances comparable with the VLR. Moreover, ELR allows to reach high ethoxylation degree, as in this condition, a good mixing, in the case of high liquid expansion, is difficult to be achieved with the other reactors. Thus, it is possible to work at higher ethoxylation degree respecting safety issues. Finally, a comprehensive model was proposed to describe quantitatively the mentioned reactors. The model is characterized by a general validity and can be easily adapted to each specific reactor configuration.
Highlights
Starting from the patent assigned to I.G
The ethylene oxide is bubbled in the liquid phase
Since Spray Tower Loop Reactor (STLR) behaves as a plug-flow reactor, it depletes ethylene oxide in the first upper portion of the liquid phase, while Venturi Loop Reactor (VLR), being a stirred vessel, increases the average EO content
Summary
Starting from the patent assigned to I.G. Farbenindustrie (Schoeller and Witttwer, 1934) the production of non-ionic surfactant obtained by ethoxylation of fatty organic substances containing at least one reactive hydrogen has increased enormously. From the first used stirred jacketed reactor, during the time, new reactor types have been proposed on the market. The increase in safety, productivity and selectivity has been the driving force for the new reactor designs (Di Serio et al, 2005; Salzano et al, 2007; Di Serio, 2019) and we can consider the technological improvement in the ethoxylation reactors as a clear example of the process intensification (Stankiewicz and Moulijn, 2000). Notwithstanding the new quite recent proposals for continuous reactor (Tesser et al, 2020), the ethoxylated products synthesis is still largely based on fed-batch reactors technology in various configurations. The ethylene oxide is bubbled in the liquid phase (stirred tank reactor, STR, or Venturi Loop Reactor, VLR (see Figure 1), or the liquid is sprayed in an atmosphere of gaseous ethylene
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