Acetone Manufacturing Process

Acetone Manufacturing Process

Reaction

RAW MATERIAL REQUIREMENT TO MAKE 1 METRIC TON ACETONE

Isopropyl Alcohol             : 1218 kg

Acetone is produced by the catalytic dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol vapors are preheated (by heat exchange with effluent gases from the reactor) and passed into a reactor containing a brass or copper catalyst. Reaction conditions are usually 500 degree C and 40 to 50 psi (275 to 350 kPa). The reaction gases containing acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen pass through a water cooled condenser and thence into a water scrubber, where final traces of isopropyl alcohol and acetone are removed from the noncondensable hydrogen. The water solution from the bottom of the scrubber is mixed with condenser product and fed to a fractionating column. Concentrated acetone is taken overhead, and am isopropyl alcohol water mixture is removed from the bottom of the column. To recover isopropyl alcohol, the bottoms are led to a column, where a binary constant boiling mixture containing 91% isopropyl alcohol is taken off the top and water is discharge at the bottom. The 91% isopropyl alcohol may be recycled without further purification. The water from the bottom of the alcohol concentrating column is resued in the scrubber.

PROPERTIES

Colorless, volatile, and highly flammable liquid with a storage etheral odor.

Molecular Weight            : 58.08

Specific Gravity                 : 0.791, 20 degree C/20

Weight per gallon            : 6.58 lb (20 degree C)

Melting Point                     : -95.35 degree C

Boiling Point                       : 56.1 degree C

Flash Point (open cup)   : -9 degree C

Ignition Temperature     : 560 degree C

Vapor Density (air = 1)   : 2

Explosive Limits % by volume in air           : Lower 2.6 and Upper 12.8

Threshold Limit value in ppm      : 1000

Soluble in all proportion in water, ethanol and ether at room temperature. Slightly soluble chloroform.

Containers & Regulations – Tank cars, tank trucks, drums, cans and bottles. Acetone is classified as a flammable liquid and requires a Red DOT shipping label.