Modernization of Industrial Technology for Dehydrogenation of Methylbutenes to Isoprene. Part 2. Analysis of the Results of Pilot Testing and Industrial Implementation of the Improved Process

Pilot testing of the technology for dehydrogenation of methylbutenes to isoprene was achieved using a two-reactor system with additional overheated steam fed to the inter-reactor space. A pilot setup with two adiabatic reactors was used at the total ZhKD-3 catalyst loading 60,0 dm³, 565–620 °C, contact time 0,18–0,25 s, feed to steam mass ratio C₅H₁₀ 1,0 : (6,0÷30,0) and extra pressure 0,6–0,8 kg/cm². Dependence of the isoprene concentration in the contact gas on the heat energy supplied by the feed and steam was determined under the traditional process conditions and in the pseudoisothermic mode, the latter was achieved by feeding additional overheated steam to the inter-reactor space. 10–12 % increase in the isoprene yield was demonstrated in the improved process. The industrial process conditions were determined on the basis of the results obtained. The improved process was tested at a Nizhnekamsk plant using a setup for dehydrogenation of methylbutenes in a reactor with the catalyst loaded in two beds with 9 t of the catalyst in each. Regularities established during pilot testing were, in general, proved true, while the selectivity was lower because of some design drawbacks to be eliminated. Reliability of the mathematical model was proved by comparing experimental and calculated data.

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