Polimeri Europa process

Figure 15.1. Polimeri Europa process for the direet oxidation of benzene to phenol.

Polimeri Europa LLDPE, LDPE, EVA high pressure autoclave and tubular (separate processes) organic peroxides, Ziegler-Natta High pressure processes operate 200-300 Mpa for LDPE and EVA (EAA and EMA also available) ZN catalysts operate 50-80 MPa for LLDPE. 

As discussed in Chapter 2 (sections 2.2 and 2.3), safety is a key consideration in high pressure processes. Handling organic peroxides presents potential hazards, but another serious concern is the possibility of ethylene decomposition within the reactor. High pressure processes must be designed to relieve pressure rapidly to prevent catastrophic explosions. Mirra of Polimeri Europa has described a reactor safety discharge system that quenches hot gases if an ethylene "decomp" takes place (4). 

Oxidative carbonylation of methanol to DMC, which takes place in the presence of suitable catalysts, has been developed industrially by EniChem (later Polimeri Europa). Carbonylation/transesterification of ethylene oxide to DMC via ethylene carbonate is also an attractive route. However, this route is burdened by the complexity of the two-step process, the co-production of ethylene glycol (even if it... 

A non-phosgene process for the production of methyl isocyanate, starting from methylamine and diphenyl carbonate as raw materials, has been established by EniChem/Polimeri Europa, resulting in the commercialization of two production units in the USA (1988) and China (1994) [78]. 

Several industrial units have been revamped or realized with new zeolite catalysts operating in the liquid-phase. MCM-22 has been successfully applied in a new process called EBMax and licensed by Mobil/Raytheon since 1995. Zeolite Beta has been successfully employed by Polimeri Europa (formerly EniChem) in the revamping of an existing E B unit in 2002. An energy-saving process for EB production based on catalytic distillation (CDTECH EB) also uses a modified zeolite Beta as catalyst. 

Figure 13.7 Polimeri Europa TS-1/H202 process block scheme.

Table 13.5 Polimeri Europa TS-I/H2O2 process material balance.

Application The Polimeri/Lummus process is used to produce high-purity cumene from propylene and benzene using a proprietary zeolite catalyst provided by Polimeri Europa. The process can handle a variety of propylene feedstocks, ranging from polymer grade to refinery grade. 

Ghirardini, M. and Tampieri, M. (2005) Polimeri Europa Cumene Phenol processes, in Handbook of Petrochemicals Production Processes (ed R.A. Meyers), McGraw-Hill. 

Styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer has the properties of clarity and toughness. It is a stiff resin with good chemical resistance, high heat resistance and good dimensional stability having excellent processability and good surface finish. SAN is used in electrical components and suppliers include Bayer (Lustran), Dow (Tyril) and Polimeri Europa (Kostil). SAN can also be blended with other resins including ABS, PA and PC. 

Based on the above premises and looking at the innovative industrial oxidation routes where hydrogen peroxide is used in combination with its proprietary TS-1 catalyst, Polimeri Europa focused on developing the new DISY process (H2O2 production technology through direct synthesis). 

Figure 15.3. Direct synthesis of H2O2 from hydrogen and oxygen (Polimeri Europa DISY process). A typical pilot run hydrogen peroxide concentration and hydrogen-based selectivity vs time on stream (T.O.S.). All values, including those measured during change in reaction parameters and plant stop-and-go procedures, are shown (smoothed by amoving average line on 10 periods).

Paparatto, G., Forlin, A., De Alberti, G., et al. (2004). Integrated Process for the Preparation of Olefin Oxides, US Patent US6888013. Polimeri Europa S.p.A. Assignee. 

Lanxess in the United States and Polimeri Europa in Italy are believed to be developing a new suspension process with possibly propylene as the reaction medium. 

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