Technology for Polyether Polyol Fabrication

Based on the knowledge of chemistry mentioned previously, section 4.1.5 now discusses the most important aspects of the technology for polyether polyols fabrication using alkaline catalysts. 

The manufacturing process for polyether polyol synthesis using alkaline catalysts consists of the following characteristic steps  

The industrial processes currently used worldwide for polyether polyol synthesis by anionic polymerisation of alkylene oxides are discontinuous processes, a fact that is explained by the great number of polyether polyol types produced in the same reactor and by the relatively low reaction rate of the propoxylation reaction. 

The starter polyol (glycerol, trimethylolpropane) is mixed with an aqueous solution of KOH (40-50% concentration) or with solid KOH (85-90% purity) in reactor 1. The water from the catalyst solution and from the equilibrium reaction with KOH is eliminated from the reaction system by vacuum distillation at 110-130 °C  

2 Anionic Polymerisation ofAlkylene Oxides Initiated by Polyolic Starters 

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Figure 13.8 Flow chart for sucrose-water technology for polyether polyol fabrication...

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