Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) is
converted to acetaldehyde by
vapour phase reaction. The
reaction is a combination of
oxidation & dehydrogenation. Ethyl Alcohol vapours
mixed with air are passed over
silver catalyst maintained at
450o - 500o
C. The reaction products are
condensed. Uncondensed gases are
sent to two scrubbers in series
to recover aldehyde and alcohol.
The condensate and the absorbate
thus obtained is sent to a
distillation column to obtain
pure aldehyde product from the
top. The bottom consisting of
alcohol - water mixture is
passed through reactor tubes in
order to recover the heat of
reaction. The vapours formed are
sent to the aldehyde
distillation column and the over
flow liquid is sent to another
distillation column to recover
unconverted alcohol which is
turn is recycled through
Carburattor.
The process is operated at
elevated pressure so as to
increase the boiling point of
acetaldehyde and thereby the
necessity of using chilled water
for aldehyde condensers is
eliminated.The product
Acetaldehyde is stored under
inert gas N2 blanket.
