Atochem process

Rhodium catalyst is used to convert linear alpha-olefins to heptanoic and pelargonic acids (see Carboxylic acids, manufacture). These acids can also be made from the ozonolysis of oleic acid, as done by the Henkel Corp. Emery Group, or by steam cracking methyl ricinoleate, a by-product of the manufacture of nylon-11, an Atochem process in France (4). Neoacids are derived from isobutylene and nonene (4) (see Carboxylic acids, trialkylacetic acids). 

The ATOCHEM process utilizes the reaction among ketone, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. The process is also called the Ugine Kuhlmann process. The process obtains azine in high yields via the hydrogen peroxide oxidation of ketone-ammonia system in the presence of nitrile (RCN). This synthesis route bypasses chlorination. 

Sodium antimonate contains less antimony than either antimony trioxide or pentoxide and is thus less effective. However, its unique pH and low refractive index makes the antimonate the most desirable synergist for polymers that hydrolyze when processed with acidic additives or in polymers for which deep color tones are specified. Sodium antimonate costs approximately 3.30—4.40/kg and can be obtained from either Elf Atochem NA under the Thermoguard name or from Anzon Inc. as a Timinox product. 

Peroxide-Ketazine Process. Elf Atochem in France operates a process patented by Produits Chimiques Ugine Kuhhnaim (PCUK). Hydrogen peroxide (qv), rather than chlorine or hypochlorite, is used to oxidize ammonia. The reaction is carried out in the presence of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) at atmospheric pressure and 50°C. The ratio of H202 MEK NH2 used is 1 2 4. Hydrogen peroxide is activated by acetamide and disodium hydrogen phosphate (117). Eigure 6 is a simplified flow sheet of this process. The overall reaction results in the formation of methyl ethyl ketazine [5921-54-0] (39) and water ... 

Comparison to the Raschig Process. The economics of this peroxide process in comparison to the Raschig or hypochlorite—ketazine processes depend on the relative costs of chlorine, caustic, and hydrogen peroxide. An inexpensive source of peroxide would make this process attractive. Its energy consumption could be somewhat less, because the ketazine in the peroxide process is recovered by decantation rather than by distillation as in the hypcochlorite process. A big advantage of the peroxide process is the elimination of sodium chloride as a by-product this is important where salt discharge is an environmental concern. In addition to Elf Atochem, Mitsubishi Gas (Japan) uses a peroxide process. 

Although not commercialized, both Elf Atochem and Rn hm GmbH have pubUshed on development of hydrogen fluoride-catalyzed processes. Norsolor, since acquired by Elf Aquitaine, had been granted an exclusive European Hcense for the propylene-hydrogen fluoride technology of Ashland Oil (99). Rn hm has patented a process for the production of isobutyric acid in 98% yield via the isomerization of isopropyl formate in the presence of carbon monoxide and hydrofluoric acid (100). 

The chemical industry manufactures a large number of antioxidants (qv) as well as uv stabilizers and their mixtures with other additives used to facilitate resin processing. These companies include American Cyanamid, BASE, Ciba—Geigy, Eastman Chemical, Elf Atochem, Enichem, General Electric, Hoechst—Celanese, Sandoz, and Uniroyal, among others. The combined market for these products in the United States exceeded 900 million in 1994 and will reach 1 billion in the year 2000. 

Nylon-11. Nylon-11 [25035-04-5] made by the polycondensation of 11-aminoundecanoic acid [2432-99-7] was first prepared by Carothers in 1935 but was first produced commercially in 1955 in France under the trade name Kilsan (167) Kilsan is a registered trademark of Elf Atochem Company. The polymer is prepared in a continuous process using phosphoric or hypophosphoric acid as a catalyst under inert atmosphere at ambient pressure. The total extractable content is low (0.5%) compared to nylon-6 (168). The polymer is hydrophobic, with a low melt point (T = 190° C), and has excellent electrical insulating properties. The effect of formic acid on the swelling behavior of nylon-11 has been studied (169), and such a treatment is claimed to produce a hard elastic fiber (170). 

MSA Zinc Plating Process, Technical Bulletin, Elf Atochem North America, Philadelphia, Pa. 

This melt-processable homopolymer was first introduced in 1961 as Kynar by the Pennsalt Chemical Corporation (the company name being subsequently changed to Pennwalt). Other companies now manufacturing similar polymers are Dynamit Nobel (Dyflor), Kureha (KF), Solvay (Solef) and Atochem (Foraflon). 

Details are given of a pilot plant for the chemical recycling of plastics which has been established at Grangemouth, Scotland, by a consortium consisting of BP Chemicals, DSM, Elf Atochem, EniChem and Petrofina. The plant, capable of treating 300 tonnes of waste yearly, uses a low pressure, fluidised bed thermal cracking process. 

ATOL [Atochem polymerization] A gas-phase process for making polyethylene. Developed by Atochem and first commercialized in 1991. It uses a Ziegler-Natta catalyst containing titanium and magnesium halides. First commercialized at Gonfreville, France, in 1991. 

MSP3 [Micro-Suspension Process] A process for making polyvinyl chloride in suspension. Developed by Atochem, which has granted four licenses since 1977. 

Rexene A process for making polypropylene. Developed by Appryl, a joint venture of BP and Atochem. 

SRP [Sulfonation-Reduction-Peroxide] A pulp-bleaching process which combines reduction with sodium borohydride and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. Developed by Atochem in 1991 and licensed to Morton International, Chicago. 

VRC [Valorisation des residues chlores] A process for incinerating chlorinated organic residues. The hydrochloric acid produced is condensed and sold (hence the name). Developed by Atochem, France in 1975, operated at Saint-Auban, and planned for installation in Poland in 1992. 

Elf Atochem (now Arkema) and Du Pont have claimed a cycle process for the oxidation of propene to acrolein [70a]. In a first transport-bed reactor (a riser, where the catalyst is transported upwards by the gas) propene is put in contact with the catalyst, a Bi/Mo/W/... 

However, Atochem uses hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant with methyl ethyl ketone to form the ketazine intermediate.313 The ketazine forms as a separate phase in the reaction, and is then purified before hydrolysis to hydrazine and ketone re-cycle. No salt or other aqueous effluent is produced, making the process relatively environmentally benign. It is operated at a 10 kilo-tonne per year scale and now represents nearly 25% of the world hydrazine production (Figure 3.84). 

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