23.4.5 Technical questions
1. Why is diphenyl oxide added to the causticization reactor ?
Ans: To suppress the formation of more diphenyl oxide at the causticization reactor.
2. How can you regenerate Cl2 for this process ?
Ans: Brine when subjected to electrolysis will produce Cl2 and NaOH. Therefore, electrolytic process will be beneficial to produce Cl2 and us e it to the requirements as well as produce excess NaOH and sell it too. This way, the process becomes more commercially attractive.
3. Can the chlorinator and the fractionators be integrated into a single unit where the bottom section is a reactor and the top section is a fractionator ?
Ans: Yes, this is possible, as after chlorination the products are in vapour state and they can enter the trays above the reactor section of a single column. The heavier product in this case is the monochlorobenzene from fractionation perspective and this is the product as well. Therefore, integrating both reactor and separator in a single unit can reduce the costs significantly.
References:
1. Dryden C. E., Outlines of Chemical Technology, East-West Press, 2008
2. Kirk R. E., Othmer D. F., Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley and Sons, 1999-2012