Method and apparatus for in-process handling of cumene hydroperoxide with improved safety
AssigneeSunoco, Inc. (R&M)
InventorsJames G. Skipworth, James M. Delabar
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for in-process handling of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide (“CHP”) in a process for the production of phenol and acetone by the decomposition of CHP. The method of the present invention makes use of a tube and shell type heat exchanger as a vessel to accumulate a working volume of concentrated CHP from a distillation unit. Concentrated CHP is then fed to a decomposer unit from the accumulated working volume. Use of a tube and shell type heat exchanger improves safety over designs that make use of an unmodified tank or drum.
Claims11
An improved method for accumulating a working volume of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide in a continuous process for the production of phenol and acetone from the decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide, wherein concentrated cumene hydroperoxide is continuously fed from a distillation unit to an accumulation vessel, and from said accumulation vessel to a decomposer unit, the improvement comprising:
- providing an accumulation vessel between said distillation unit and said decomposer unit, said accumulation vessel being a tube and shell heat exchanger;
- feeding concentrated cumene hydroperoxide from said distillation unit to said accumulation vessel such that a working volume of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide is accumulated in said accumulation vessel;
- keeping said working volume of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide in a constant state of mixed flow;
- applying direct cooling to said working volume of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide;
- and
- feeding concentrated cumene hydroperoxide to said decomposer unit from said working volume of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.