Reaktionsstudie vid Perstorp AB:s befintliga TMP process

Sammanfattning: The production of TMP (Trimethylolpropane) is important for many applications, and is used as alkyds in paint and lubricants among others. The reactions producing TMP consist of two major reaction chains, Aldol condensation and Cannizzaro reaction. To get a deeper understanding and improve the running conditions the kinetic expressions for the reactions were examined. The aim of this paper was to produce kinetic data that would not deviate more than 10 % from the experimental values. In addition, an optimization over the reactor was made to find the best operational conditions based on the kinetic expressions. A system of reaction rates was constructed using a modified Arrhenius equation with an added reference temperature. To calibrate the model several experiments were used together with a single objective differential evolution algorithm. By running several calibrations with different conditions the best weighing and minimization unit were established. The result had a deviation of almost 15 % for TMP and around 20 % for Di-TMP (Di-Trimethylolpropane) while the other substances produced a higher deviation. The result did not fully meet the requirements but the deviation between TMP in the model and experimental data was no greater than 20 percent which was deemed acceptable. The optimization of the reactor showed that the productivity, per the approximated reaction parameters, could be increased by decreasing the batch time whilst still maintaining a high yield. Furthermore, a purer product could be produced, with a small productivity loss, if the temperatures over the reactor was decreased from 50 to about 30 degrees C.