Alumina vaporization

Guo, W., H. Y. Lu, and N. F. Hu, 2006. Comparative bioelectrochemical study of two types of myoglobin layer-by-layer films with alumina Vapor-surface sol-gel deposited AI2O3 films versus AIO3 nanoparticle films. Electrochim Acta 52 123-32. 

Alkylthiazoles can be oxidized to nitriles in the presence of ammonia and a catalyst. For example, 4-cyanothiazole was prepared from 4-methylthiazole by a one-step vapor-phase process (94) involving reaction with a mixture of air, oxygen, and ammonia at 380 to 460°C. The catalyst was M0O3 and V Oj or M0O3, VjOj, and CoO on an alumina support. 

The noble metal thermocouples, Types B, R, and S, are all platinum or platinum-rhodium thermocouples and hence share many of the same characteristics. Metallic vapor diffusion at high temperatures can readily change the platinum wire calibration, hence platinum wires should only be used inside a nonmetallic sheath such as high-purity alumina. 

Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol reacts with ammonia to give a variety of nitrogen containing compounds depending on the conditions employed. Over a barium hydroxide-promoted skeletal nickel—aluminum catalyst, 2-tetrahydrofurfur5iarnine [4795-29-3] is produced (113—115). With paHadium on alumina catalyst in the vapor phase (250—300°C), pyridine [110-86-1] is the principal product (116—117) pyridine also is formed using Zn and Cr based catalysts (118,119). At low pressure and 200°C over a reduced nickel catalyst, piperidine is obtained in good yield (120,121). 

A second Mobil process is the Mobil s Vapor Phase Isomerization Process (MVPI) (125,126). This process was introduced in 1973. Based on information in the patent Hterature (125), the catalyst used in this process is beHeved to be composed of NiHZSM-5 with an alumina binder. The primary mechanism of EB conversion is the disproportionation of two molecules of EB to one molecule of benzene and one molecule of diethylbenzene. EB conversion is about 25—40%, with xylene losses of 2.5—4%. PX is produced at concentration levels of 102—104% of equiHbrium. Temperatures are in the range of 315—370°C, pressure is generally 1480 kPa, the H2/hydrocatbon molar ratio is about 6 1, and WHSV is dependent on temperature, but is in the range of 2—50, although normally it is 5—10. 

Reactions with Ammonia and Amines. Acetaldehyde readily adds ammonia to form acetaldehyde—ammonia. Diethyl amine [109-87-7] is obtained when acetaldehyde is added to a saturated aqueous or alcohoHc solution of ammonia and the mixture is heated to 50—75°C in the presence of a nickel catalyst and hydrogen at 1.2 MPa (12 atm). Pyridine [110-86-1] and pyridine derivatives are made from paraldehyde and aqueous ammonia in the presence of a catalyst at elevated temperatures (62) acetaldehyde may also be used but the yields of pyridine are generally lower than when paraldehyde is the starting material. The vapor-phase reaction of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and ammonia at 360°C over oxide catalyst was studied a 49% yield of pyridine and picolines was obtained using an activated siHca—alumina catalyst (63). Brown polymers result when acetaldehyde reacts with ammonia or amines at a pH of 6—7 and temperature of 3—25°C (64). Primary amines and acetaldehyde condense to give Schiff bases CH2CH=NR. The Schiff base reverts to the starting materials in the presence of acids. 

Processes rendered obsolete by the propylene ammoxidation process (51) include the ethylene cyanohydrin process (52—54) practiced commercially by American Cyanamid and Union Carbide in the United States and by I. G. Farben in Germany. The process involved the production of ethylene cyanohydrin by the base-cataly2ed addition of HCN to ethylene oxide in the liquid phase at about 60°C. A typical base catalyst used in this step was diethylamine. This was followed by liquid-phase or vapor-phase dehydration of the cyanohydrin. The Hquid-phase dehydration was performed at about 200°C using alkah metal or alkaline earth metal salts of organic acids, primarily formates and magnesium carbonate. Vapor-phase dehydration was accomphshed over alumina at about 250°C. 

Sohd sorbent materials have the abiUty to adsorb water vapor until an equiUbrium condition is attained. The total weight of water that can be adsorbed in a particular material is a function of the temperature of the material and of the relative humidity of the air (see Adsorption). To regenerate the sorbent, its temperature must be raised or the relative humidity lowered. The sohd sorbents most commonly used are siUca (qv), alumina (see Aluminum compounds), and molecular sieves (qv). 

Mechanism. Alumina trihydtate functions as a flame retardant in both the condensed and vapor phases (26). When activated, it decomposes endothermically, eliminating water. 

In the flame phase the water vapor forms an envelope around the flame, which tends to exclude air and dilute the flammable gases. The water vapor reacts endothermically with the flame radicals. The alumina residue becomes a conduit through which heat is conveyed away from the flame area, slowing down polymer decomposition. 

Most A1F. and cryoHte producers have their own HF production faciUties. HF vapor is reacted with alumina trihydrate to form A1F. in a fluid-bed reactor. HF is reacted with sodium hydroxide to form sodium fluoride, which is then used to produce cryoHte. Producers who manufacture these products solely for use in the aluminum industry do not generally install Hquid HF storage and handling faciHties, and do not participate in the merchant HF market. 

Mote stable catalysts ate obtained by using fluorinated graphite or fluorinated alumina as backbones, and Lewis acid halides, such as SbF, TaF, and NbF, which have a relatively low vapor pressure. These Lewis acids ate attached to the fluorinated soHd supports through fluorine bridging. They show high reactivity in Friedel-Crafts type reactions including the isomerization of straight-chain alkanes such as / -hexane. 

Propylene Dimer. The synthesis of isoprene from propjiene (109,110) is a three-step process. The propjiene is dimeri2ed to 2-methyl-1-pentene, which is then isomeri2ed to 2-methyl-2-pentene in the vapor phase over siUca alumina catalyst. The last step is the pyrolysis of 2-methyi-2-pentene in a cracking furnace in the presence of (NH 2 (111,112). Isoprene is recovered from the resulting mixture by conventional distillation. 

In the vapor phase, acetone vapor is passed over a catalyst bed of magnesium aluminate (206), 2iac oxide—bismuth oxide (207), calcium oxide (208), lithium or 2iac-doped mixed magnesia—alumina (209), calcium on alumina (210), or basic mixed-metal oxide catalysts (211—214). Temperatures ranging... 

Ethjlben ne Synthesis. The synthesis of ethylbenzene for styrene production is another process in which ZSM-5 catalysts are employed. Although some ethylbenzene is obtained direcdy from petroleum, about 90% is synthetic. In earlier processes, benzene was alkylated with high purity ethylene in liquid-phase slurry reactors with promoted AlCl catalysts or the vapor-phase reaction of benzene with a dilute ethylene-containing feedstock with a BF catalyst supported on alumina. Both of these catalysts are corrosive and their handling presents problems. 

In the Godrej-Lurgi process, olefins are produced by dehydration of fatty alcohols on alumina in a continuous vapor-phase process. The reaction is carried out in a specially designed isothermal multitube reactor at a temperature of approximately 300°C and a pressure of 5—10 kPa (0.05—0.10 atm). As the reaction is endothermic, temperature is maintained by circulating externally heated molten salt solution around the reactor tubes. The reaction is sensitive to temperature fluctuations and gradients, hence the need to maintain an isothermal reaction regime. 

DiaHyl esters find Htde appHcation in lenses. However, DAP and DAIP can be polymerized by high energy radiation in lens molds (74). Coatings of sihca and alumina by vaporization give antiglare, scratch-resistant lenses. 

Anhydrous aluminum chloride, AIQ, is manufactured primarily by reaction of chlorine [7782-50-5] vapor with molten aluminum and used mainly as a catalyst in organic chemistry ie, in Friedel-Crafts reactions (qv) and in proprietary steps in the production of titanium dioxine [13463-67-7] Ti02, pigment. Its manufacture by carbochlorination of alumina or clay is less energy-intensive and is the preferred route for a few producers (19). 

Adsorbent Applications. One of the earliest uses for activated alumina was removal of water vapor from gases and this remains an... 

Diphenylamine can also be produced by passing the vapors of aniline over a catalyst such as alumina, or alumina impregnated with ammonium fluoride (17). The reaction is carried out at 480°C and about 700 kPa (7 atm). Conversion per pass, expressed as parts diphenylamine per 100 parts of reactor effluent, is low (18—22%), and the unconverted aniline must be recycled. Other catalysts disclosed for the vapor-phase process are alumina modified with boron trifluoride (18), and alumina activated with boric acid or boric anhydride (19). 

The predominant process for manufacture of aniline is the catalytic reduction of nitroben2ene [98-95-3] ixh. hydrogen. The reduction is carried out in the vapor phase (50—55) or Hquid phase (56—60). A fixed-bed reactor is commonly used for the vapor-phase process and the reactor is operated under pressure. A number of catalysts have been cited and include copper, copper on siHca, copper oxide, sulfides of nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, and palladium—vanadium on alumina or Htbium—aluminum spinels. Catalysts cited for the Hquid-phase processes include nickel, copper or cobalt supported on a suitable inert carrier, and palladium or platinum or their mixtures supported on carbon. 

Etherification. Isopropyl alcohol can be dehydrated ia either the Hquid phase over acidic catalysts, eg, sulfuric acid, or ia the vapor phase over acidic aluminas to give diisopropyl ether (DIPE) and propylene (qv). 

Pyrrohdine [123-75-1] (tetrahydropyrrole) (19) is a water-soluble strong base with the usual properties of a secondary amine. An important synthesis of pyrrohdines is the reaction of reduced furans with excess amine or ammonia over an alumina catalyst in the vapor phase at 400°C. However, if labde substituents are present on the tetrahydrofurans, pyrroles may form (30). 

The slurry process requires less coating component. The latter is suspended in a vehicle, eg, lacquer or water, and is painted onto the substrate. The coated part is heated in an alumina retort containing a layer of activator at the bottom. The coating component forms a haHde and is deposited onto and diffused into the substrate. Slurry processes can be either activated or nonactivated. In the latter case, development of the coating reHes purely on diffusion without the possible benefits of vapor deposition. 

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