Cumene oxidation to cumene hydroperoxide

Cátia Folgado Saturnino Gordicho da

Key information

Authors:

Cátia Folgado Saturnino Gordicho da (Cátia Folgado Saturnino Gordicho da Costa)

Supervisors:

Jesús Lazaro Munoz (Jesús Lazaro Munoz); Maria Filipa Gomes Ribeiro (Maria Filipa Gomes Ribeiro)

Published in

12/02/2009

Abstract

This work is based on the study of cumene oxidation to CHP, the key reaction of a phenol production industrial process. It is intended to study the cumene oxidation to CHP in order to be able to optimize it, determining the optimal operation conditions as well as choosing the most suitable catalyst that improves the process, increasing the selectivity to CHP and the oxidation rate. It is needed to establish an optimized balance between oxidation rate of cumene and selectivity to CHP. It was concluded that to work under the actual conditions of CEPSA QUÍMICA, 93ºC with an oxidation rate of IPB of 15g.l-1.h-1 and a selectivity to CHP of 91%, the best catalyst is a supported mixed oxide composed by manganese and other metal. With this catalyst, it is also possible to achieve the desired conditions to operate in the future, 80ºC with an oxidation rate in the range of 12-15g.l-1.h-1 and a selectivity to CHP around 93-95%.