Epichlorohydrin

Epichlorohydrin is an organochlorine compound and an epoxide. Epichlorohydrin is essentially a derivative of propylene and chlorine that combines the reactivity of an epoxide group (an oxygen bridge) with the additional reactivity of a chloro-group on to a propylene backbone. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent, garlic-like odor. Epichlorohydrin is a highly reactive compound. The primary use of epichlorohydrin is in the production of epoxy resins used in coatings, adhesives, and plastics. Epichlorohydrin is also used in the manufacture of synthetic glycerin, textiles, paper, inks and dyes, solvents, surfactants, and pharmaceuticals.

Manufacturing from allyl chloride

Allyl chloride is prepared by temperature chlorination of propylene. Epichlorohydrin is manufactured from allyl chloride in two steps, beginning with the addition of hypochlorous acid, which affords a mixture of two alcohols. In the second step, this mixture is treated with base to give the epoxide.

Manufacturing from glycerin

Glycerin is a bio-based feedstock and can be obtained easily as byproduct from biodiesel production. The increasing availability of bio-based glycerin from biodiesel production makes it possible to produce bio-based epichlorohydrin. In the glycerol-to-epichlorohydrin process glycerol is first dichlorinated with hydrogen chloride with the help of a carboxylic acid catalyst. The mixture of dichlorohydroxypropanes is treated with base to form epichlorohydrin.

GAB Neumann’s process equipment

Both epichlorohydrin manufacturing processes involve the utilization and processing of large amounts of hydrochloric acid therefore the need for corrosion resistant process equipment. On numerous occasions during the processes, hydrochloric acid steams shall be heated up or cooled down. In the process starting from allyl chloride, hydrochloric acid shall be absorbed and eventually later on desorbed.

GAB Neumann supplies annular groove graphite heat exchangers, graphite coolers, graphite heaters, graphite block heat exchangers, graphite absorbers, graphite columns, as well as hydrochloric acid recovery units to the epichlorohydrin producing companies.

Associated products:

Impervious graphite annular groove heavy-duty condensers

Impervious graphite annular groove partial condensers

Impervious graphite block heat exchangers

Impervious graphite columns

Hydrochloric acid recovery units