Silicones

Silicones are polymers that include any inert, synthetic compound made up of repeating units of siloxane, which is a chain of alternating silicon atoms and oxygen atoms, frequently combined with carbon and/or hydrogen. They are typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, and are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medicine, cooking utensils, and thermal and electrical insulation. Common forms include silicone oil, silicone grease, silicone rubber, silicone resin, and silicone caulk.

Manufacturing of silicones

Ground silicon metal is turned into silicon tetrachloride through chlorination then fumed silica is made from flame pyrolysis of silicon tetrachloride. Large amounts of hydrochloric acid must be absorbed and recycled.

Silicon metal is produced from sand and carbon in arc furnaces. Then silicon metal is converted into methyltrichlorosilane, dimethyldichlorosilane, trimethylchlorosilane, and other silanes (Mueller - Rochow synthesis). Dimethyldichlorosilane is separated from all other silanes trough distillation which are fed back into the reaction process. Dimethyldichlorosilane is hydrolyzed into dimethylsilandiol monomer. Finally, Silanols’ polymerization leads to silicones.

The silicones manufacturing process is continuous and self-contained. It involves the use and processing (absorption, desorption, concentration) of large amounts of hydrochloric acid that is recycled at close to 100% efficiency.

GAB Neumann’s process equipment

The production of silicones involves the use and processing (absorption, desorption, concentration) of large amounts of hydrochloric acid. GAB Neumann offers annular groove graphite heat exchangers, graphite coolers, graphite heaters, graphite block heat exchangers, graphite absorbers, graphite evaporators, and well as fractioning graphite columns to the fumed silica producers. GAB Neumann also offers hydrochloric acid recovery units and dry hydrochloric acid generation units to the silicones producers.

Associated products:

Impervious graphite annular groove interchangers

Impervious graphite annular groove heavy-duty condensers

Impervious graphite annular groove partial condensers

Impervious graphite block heat exchangers

Impervious graphite annular groove isothermal absorbers

Impervious graphite columns

Hydrochloric acid recovery units