Synthesis Of Propionic Acid from Syngas

1. Synthesis Of Propionic Acid from Syngas Sabah Basrawi, Alex Guerrero, Mrunal Patel, Kevin Thompson University of Illinois at Chicago Process Description Process Flow Diagram Economics Since 2003 the commodities price of Propionic Acid has steadily increased. Used as a preservative for grains and as a mold inhibitor for baked goods, people need to eat so consumers will purchase regardless of price. As a result, the price is expected to steadily increase throughout the next few years. Our group has designed a chemical plant for the production of Propionic Acid with a projected output of 33,000 metric tons. The initial feedstock will comprise of Sygnas (a mixture of CO and H2) and Ethylene, which will react in a process known as carbonylation in the presence of a Rhodium catalyst to produce Propionaldehyde. The catalyst will be supported in a packed bed reactor with a byproduct of Ethane. The Ethane will then be sold back to Equistar Chemicals so they can hydrogenate it back into Ethylene. The Propionaldehyde will then be oxidized using a Cobalt Halide and air to produce Propionic Acid at mild temps. Motivation With a steadily increasing market price and demand for Propionic Acid along with its marketability in other industrial processes makes this a realistic and competitive option. The market demand for Propionic Acid and its high price relative to our cheaper reactants and catalysts will help in making our chemical production plant a successful endeavor that should become economically efficient once meeting our break-even point. Plant Layout Process Floor Plan Team Echo’s and Foxtrot’s chemical plants will be located next to one another in Morris Illinois. With minimal space between us we can both save on piping and transportation as we are location off a main street and they are right next to a major railroad. We will get Syngas directly from Team Foxtrot at our desired specifications, and right below our plant Equistar Chemicals will be supplying our Ethylene gas. Uses of Propionic Acid Propionic acid is mainly used as a mold inhibitor for various animal feed and as a preservative in cheeses and baked goods to prevent mold. It is also a significant precursor in many industrial processes such as pharmaceuticals, plastics, plasticizers, textile and rubber auxiliaries, dye intermediates, as well as flavorants and cosmetics. Design Basis Insert your text here. Remember, you can change your font size to fit your data. In general, the larger your font, the easier it is for others to read References "Acetic Acid Production." Acetic Acid Production. 2009. Web. 22 Jan. 2011. http://www.starcontrols.com/Application/Application_min_e.asp?MinID=34. Boyaval, P., and C. Corre. Production of Propionic Acid. 1995. Print. Perlack, Robert D., Lynn L. Wright, Robin L. Graham, Bryce J. Stokes, and Donald C. Erbach. Biomass as a Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply. Print. Registration Review Document for Propionic Acid and Salts. Mar. 2008. Print. Spivey, James J., Makarand R. Gogate, Ben W. Jang, Eric D. Middlemas, Joseph R. Zoeller, Gerald N. Choi, and Samuel S. Tam. Synthesis of Acrylates and Methacrylates from Coal-Derived Syngas. 1997. Print. Hypothesis Insert your text here. Remember, you can change your font size to fit your data. In general, the larger your font, the easier it is for others to read. Acknowledgements We would like to acknowledge our professor Dr. Perl, and our client mentor Shannon Brown, to thank them for all their help.