This work presents the development of a novel process for the production of diethylacetal from the reaction between ethanol and acetaldehyde catalyzed by the acid resin Amberlyst® 15 using simulated moving-bed reactor (SMBR) technology. The methodology used combines modeling/simulation with laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments. The kinetic law of the reaction was measured from experiments in a batch catalytic reactor. The adsorption parameters were obtained from experiments performed in a fixed-bed adsorption column. Laboratory experiments in fixed-bed adsorptive reactors were performed and used to validate model and simulation tools. The SMBR technology was applied for diethylacetal production and separation with 87% purity and the acetaldehyde conversion was about 98%. The influence of feed composition, switching time, and mass-transfer resistance on the SMBR performance was analyzed by simulation. The reaction/separation region was determined using separation zone methodology. Simulated results show that high acetal purities can be achieved for 100% acetaldehyde conversion. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005

Novel Process for Diethylacetal Synthesis

Kinetic studies in a batch reactor using ion exchange resin catalysts for oxygenates production: Role of mass transfer mechanisms

The present invention relates to environmentally friendly diesel fuel, containing natural, liquid triglycerides of natural or animal origin, such as rapeseed or soybean oil, and acetals of the formula (I) or (II) (See formula (I) or (II) in which the substitutents have the meaning defined in the description. This diesel fuel is biodegradable and free of sulfur, nitrogen and aromatics.

Environmentally friendly diesel fuel

A process for the preparation of new polyols and polyesters from a natural oil or other unsaturated fatty acid esters is described. The process involves ozone cleavage of double bonds in the fatty acid chains of the oils along with coupling of a hydroxylated compound such as a mono-alcohol, a diol, or a polyol to the cleaved ends of the molecules resulting from the cleavage with a base. The resulting polyols and polyesters are as intermediates for polymers.

Novel modified fatty acid esters and method of preparation thereof

Two of the most recent and promising multifunctional reactors, the Simulated Moving Bed Reactor and the Simulated Moving Bed Membrane Reactor, for the synthesis of oxygenated compounds, were addressed focusing on the methodology for the development and implementation of these technologies based on experimental data and suitable mathematical models. Moreover, different case studies, involving acetals and esters, using the different reactor configurations were illustrated. The two types of reactors were compared under the same operating conditions and, after that, individually optimized in order to find the optimal operating conditions for which the maximum performance is achieved. The Simulated Moving Bed Reactor proved to be a very competitive process for the synthesis that involves equilibrium-limited reactions. This technology, which combines reaction with chromatographic separation, revealed a strong ability to increase the equilibrium conversion with high productivities and reasonable desorbent consumptions by the continuous removal of water through selective adsorption. However, diluted products are obtained and subsequent units for the products purification are required. Combining the Simulated Moving Bed Reactor with water-selective membranes, a new technology was generated, the Simulated Moving Bed Membrane Reactor also designated by PermSMBR. This recent concept that comprises reaction and two different separation techniques exhibited excellent performance for acetals and esters synthesis, even improving the previous reactor productivities with significant reduction on the desorbent demand. Furthermore, its dimensions can be reduced without affecting the productivity, leading to higher savings on the desorbent consumption and lower associated desorbent recovery costs.

Sorption-Enhanced Reaction With Simulated Moving Bed Reactor and PermSMBR Technologies

The ignition performance of dialkoxyalkanes, used as diesel fuel, of the formula in which R1 and R2 are hydrogen or alkyl radicals having up to 3 C atoms, and R3 and R4 are alkyl radicals having up to 4 C atoms, can be enhanced by partial oxidation with an oxygen donor; it is sufficient in this case if a part of the dialkoxyalkane of 0.5 to 3% by weight, calculated as H2O2, is oxidised. Preferably, 1,1-diethoxyethane is oxidised. The preferred oxidising agents are ozone-containing oxygen, air with UV irradiation and especially H2O2.

Eckhard Dr Sausen

Papers

Method for enhancing the ignition performance of dialkoxyalkanes used as diesel fuel, in particular 1,1-diethoxyethane