Vetter, J. (2007) Removal of BF3-catalyst from synthetic hydrocarbon resins. Bachelor's Thesis, Industrial Engineering and Management.
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Abstract
This report provides an evaluation of potential alternatives for BF3 removal from synthetic hydrocarbon resins at Neville Chemicals Europe (NCE). NCE produces 30 kt. hydrocarbon resins each year. In 6 kt. of these resins BF3 is used as a catalyst. BF3 is a lewis acid that is toxic and causes corrosion to the process equipment. For these two reasons it is necessary to remove the BF3 from the resin mixture. Currently the BF3 is neutralized with NaOH and then separatedfrom the liquid mixture by using the difference in density in a sinktank. The removal efficiency of this process is unknown, however it is known that not all of the BF3 is removed this way. This report is a survey of alternative technologies for this process. Several technologies are described and discussed on how the technology works, the removal rate of BF3 from the resin mixture and implementation possibilities for this case. The removal technologies that are reviewed are: contact with an anhydrous solid inorganic oxide (alumina mesh), moving through a bed of silica, removal by calcination, contact with diaryl ketone or an amine (benzophenone), heating the liquid to reflux, contacting the resin mixture with superheated inert solvent and contact with acrylic fibers. Finally the alternative technologies are compared to each other and the existing technology and an advice is formulated for further development. Four conditions are stated on which the alternatives are valued; (1) the removal rate is known, (2) a removal efficiency as high as possible to retain the quality of the resin and minimize corrosion, preferably 100%, (3) the resin should not be damaged or polluted in the removal process, (4) the removal process should be industrial applicable. After the analyses it becomes clear that there are just two technologies that render a removal rate of 100%, these are removal by silica and removal by acrylic fibers. The removal by silica is the only one that is industrial applicable so the advise is to further develop this technology for implementation at NCE for removal the removal of BF3 from synthetic hydrocarbon resins.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Industrial Engineering and Management |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Feb 2018 07:28 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Feb 2018 07:28 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/8342 |
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