Introd

duction
MEK (M
Methyl Etthyl Ketonne) is a peetrochemiccal producct which iss producedd by
dehydroogenation of SBA (Secondaryy Butyl Allcohol). Main
M appliccations off this
he paint inddustries, adhesives,
material are in th a p
printing innks, as well as indusstrial
oils mannufacturing
g as a geneeral solvennt.
Base onn original design, thhe followiing reactioon was takke place in
i presencce of
T
special copper cattalyst whicch was deveeloped by Deutchse Texaco Coompany.
i endotherrmic and taake place in
The aboove dehydrrogenationn reaction is i vapor phase
while thhe reactor inlet
i is heaated and vaaporized byy the upstreeam heat exchangers
e s.
For morre informaation, the following
f d
description
n, make yoou more fam
miliar withh the
reactor arrangemeent and tem
mperature control
c system;
Processs Flow Desscription
The feeed SBA is
i continuously receeived from
m the storrage tank.. The flow
w is
controllled by the level of flaash drum V-201.
V Thee SBA is preheated
p inn E-203 byy the
v
reactor effluent prroduct. In V-201 thee SBA is vaporized under connstant presssure.
The heaat is provid
ded by thee vaporizerr E-201, heated withh hot oil. The
T pressuure is
controllled with PC
C, acting on
o the contrrol valve inn the hot oil
o line.
The vaporized SBA flows now under its own pressure through exchanger E-202,
where it is further heated with reactor effluent product. The flow is controlled with
FC. Then the stream is split to the three reactors R-201/203/205 .There is 6
reactors which will operate in 2 parallel trains. The second train includes R-
202/204/206. Normally just one train will be in service. The SBA enters the
reactors, which are normally operating in parallel, at top.
The reactors are of the tubular type, the tubes filled with the catalyst. On the shell
side the reactors are heated with circulating hot oil, since the reaction is
endothermic. The heat supply is controlled individually by the reactor outlet
temperature, the TC acting on the control valve in the hot oil line.
The reactor effluent product, leaving from bottom of the reactors consists of MEK,
some heavy ketones, unreacted SBA, some butenes formed by decomposition of
SBA, some water from formation of heavy ketones and SBA decomposition, as
well as the hydrogen formed, all in gas phase. Both effluent streams are combined
and then first cooled in E-202 exchanging heat with the reactor feed. It is further
cooled in E-203 exchanging heat with the SBA feed and in E-204 with cooling
water, whereas most of the MEK and SBA are condensed. The mix flows to the
MEK accumulator V-202A. In V-202A the gas and liquid phases are separated.
The liquid which is the raw MEK is pumped to the distillation section. Attached
you could find the related PFD in case you need for more information.
Vendor is requested to propose the suitable catalyst for the above plant considering
the reactor arrangement and accessories plus the following feed and product
specification;
Feed Specification:
M3/hr 1.1
Flow Rate
Kg/hr 836.4
Temperature qC 240
Purity excluding water Wt% 99
Water Content Wt% Max 0.2
Specific gravity @20/20 qC 0.806-0.807
Color ASTM D-1206 Max 10
Acidity ASTM D-1613 Wt% Max 0.01
SBE/C4 E -Dimeres mg/kg Max 100
IPA mg/kg Max 200
NBA mg/kg Max 10
Product Specification
Purity excluding water Wt% Min 99.7
Water Content Wt% Max 0.1
Specific gravity @20/20 qC 0.805-0.807
Color ASTM D-1206 Max 10
Acidity ASTM D-1613 Wt% Max 0.001
Reactor Design Data
REACTOR FABRICATION DATA R-201/202/203/204:
ID 450 mm NO. OF BAFFLE: 14
TL-TL: 3750 mm BAFFLE TYPE : SINGLE
SEGMENTAL
NO.OF TUBES: 151 BAFFLE SPACING: 150 mm
TUBE PROPERTY: 1 " -Bwg. 12-LENGTH :3000 mm
TUBE PITCH (mm): 32 mm (Triangular)
REACTOR FABRICATION DATA R-205/206:
ID 645 mm NO. OF BAFFLE: 14
TL-TL: 3525 mm BAFFLE TYPE : SINGLE
SEGMENTAL
NO.OF TUBES: 301 BAFFLE SPACING: 150 mm
TUBE PROPERTY: 3/4 " -Bwg. 12-LENGTH :3000 mm
TUBE PITCH (mm): 32 mm (Triangular)
The required quantity of catalyst is as following;
For R-201/202/203/204 about 920 lit
For R-205/206 about 515 lit
Total quantity is 2.87 m3 considering 100% contingency.
Vendor shall include the following items in its proposal;
1) Catalyst cycle life
2) Catalyst total life
3) Catalyst Selectivity
4) Catalyst Activity
5) Conversion
6) Coke formation rate
7) Regeneration procedure
8) By product material
9) Poisson material (if any)
As we have mentioned above the original catalyst was copper-silica. Vendor is
requested to supply the same catalyst with the latest improvement (if any) or any
other type of catalyst to meet our requirement considering our feed and product
specification and unit reactors design.
Please feel free to contact us for any more information/clarification