PROJECT REPORT DRAFT ON

“ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL”
BY
JARIWALA DIVYANGKUMAR RAJESHKUMAR

Exam no-701022
Roll no:-821

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
THE MAHARAJA SAYAJIRAO UNIVERSITY OF BARODA
INDEX :

• INTRODUCTION
• HISTORY
• PROPERTIES
• APPLICATION
• SELECTION OF PROCESS
• MATERIAL BALANCE
• ENERGY BALANCE
Introduction

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) , more commonly known as rubbing

alcohol is a colorless chemical compound that is flammable and has an
alcoholic odor. IPA mixes with almost all liquids and can be used as a
solvent. IPA has a molecular formula of (CH3)2CHOH and its boiling
.
point is 82.4 C . The density of isopropyl alcohol is 0.785 gm/cm3.[1]
There are many different names of isopropyl alcohol:
• Isopropanol
• 2 – propanol
• IPA
• Propyl alcohol
• 2 –Propyl alcohol
• Propan-2-ol
• Dimethyl Carbinol
• 1- Methylethyl alcohol
• 1- Methylethanol
• 2- Hydroxypropan
• 2- Hydroxypropane
Structure

Element Symbol Atomic Mass No. of Atoms Mass Percent

Hydrogen H 1.00794 8 13.418%

Carbon C 12.0107 3 59.959%

Oxygen O 15.9994 1 26.624%

History

The distillation process for Isopropyl Alcohol was originally

discovered around the first century. Distilled pure ethanol from crude
fermentation mixtures was made available for consumption and also for
chemical and medicinal uses as well. Later, early civilization learned
how to produce methanol that adds to ethanol being the only available
alcohols before the modern times.

The discovery of alcohols as chemical compounds happened

during the last century. The first industrial process to generate methanol
in the year 1926 provides the ground in the development of different
alcohols through direct chemical synthesis.

Ancient Egyptian scrolls have been found that actually provide

directions for producing beer from plant foods, especially dates. Alcohol
that was commonly found in beverages was referred to as ethanol. No
pure alcohol was produced during that time; it was combined with
flavorings, plant residue, and water. The ethanol produced was basically
then consumed mainly for drinking.[2]
Competitors

• Parchem
• Deepak Fertillisers and petrochemicals Corporation Ltd(DFPCL)
• Kanchan Rasayan
• Riddhi siddhi Chemicals
• Galaxy Chemicals
•
Credence Chem Private Limited[3]

Physical Properties

• Molecular formula : (CH3)2CHOH

• Molecular Weight
• Appearance
• Odour
• Boiling point
• Melting point
• Flash point
• Specific Gravity
• Dencity (gm/cm3)
• Vapour Density
• Vapour pressure (mmHg)
• Solubility in Water
: 60.09 gm/mole
: Clear liquid
: Specially odour
: 82 – 83 0C
: 88 0C
: 12 0C
: 0.786 at 20 0C
: 0.784 – 0.787 at 20 0C
: 2.1 at 20 0C (air = 1)
: 33 mmHg at 20 0C
: Soluble complete at 200C[4]
Application

Isopropyl Alcohol is a main ingredient in many personal care

and cosmetic products,such as lotions, eye makeup, bath products,
cleansing products, skin care products and hair care products.

Isopropyl Alcohol dissolves many types of nonpolar

compounds such as oils, fats and greases. Thus, it is useful as a solvent.
As an example, it can clean most common electronic components such
as disk heads, magnetic tape, contact pins and laser lenses of optical
discs. It is also very effective in removing sticky thermal paste left
behind in electronic parts packages. It can easily clean the glass of a
CRT monitor as well as the screen of an LCD monitor.

With isopropyl alcohol, smudges are simple to remove, and

also dirt, markings and fingerprints from personal gadgets such as cell
phones. It removes and cleans stains from the most common fabrics and
other such materials. In automotive use, it can be helpful for the removal
of break fluid traces from the braking system in order not to taint the
brake pads and therefore helps in maintaining effective breaking.

Isopropyl Alcohol is a good non-toxic alternative for

formaldehyde and for other synthetic preservatives in preserving
biological specimens. It contains the right percentage of solutions for
optimal specimen preservation.

This alcohol is a vital ingredient for fuel additives in a gas

dryer. Water can create problems in the fuel tank especially when
significant in amount. It can freez the fuel supply line under cold
temperatures and will not seprate from gasoline. Using isopropyl alcohol
will make the water soluble and eventully eliminate any risk in the fuel
tank.it is also available prepared in an aerosol can where its best known
use is as a windscreen de-icer during the colder, harsher winter
months.[2]
Manufacturing Process

Two commercial routes to IPA are used.

1). Indirect hydration
2). Direct hydration

 Indirect hydration

The older method is based on the indirect hydration of refinery-

grade propylene using sulphuric acid to form isopropyl sulphate which is
then hydrolysed with steam to form sulphuric acid and IPA. Indirect
hydration is based on a two step reaction of propylene and sulfuric acid.
In the first step, mixed sulfate esters, primarily isopropyl hydrogen
sulfate, but also diisopropyl sulfate form. These are then hydrolysed,
forming the alcohol and sulfuric acid.

Manufacturing plants in the United states are believed to use

solely indirect propylene hydration. Several European companies, eg,
British Petroleum, Shell, and Deutsche Texaco, also employ this older
technology in plants in Europe and Japan.[1]

 Direct hydration

A more modern route is the direct hydration of chemical grade

(90-99%) propylene avoiding the need for sulphuric acid.

Process:- There are three basic processes in commercial operation.

(1) vapor-phase hydration over a fixed-bed catalyst of supported

phosphoric acid
(Veba-Chemie), or silica-supported tungsten oxide with zinc oxide
promoter
(2) mixed vapor-liquid-phase hydration at low (150 0C) temperature and
high pressure using a strongly acidic cation-exchange resin catalyst.
(3) liquid-phase hydration at high (270 0C) temperature and high
(20.3 Mpa(200 atm))pressure in the presence of a soluble tungsten
catalyst(Tokuyama soda).
A very small amount of IPA is produced by the hydrogenation of
acetone in the liquid phase. This process is only suitable where excess
acetone is available. [5]

SELECTION OF PROCESS

I select the direct hydration of propylene process in liquid-vapor

phase -Tokuyama soda process at high temperature and high pressure.
In this process, we get the high purity isopropyl alcohol and high
selectivity. Also minimize the corrosion of reactor because here we
avoid the use of acidic medium.

DIRECT HYDRATION PROCESS :

RAW MATERIAL :
• Propylene
• Water

Reaction :

The acid-catalysed direct hydration of propylene is exothermic

and resembles the preparation of ethyl alcohol from ethylene.

CH3CH=CH2 + H2O (CH3)2CHOH ∆H= -50 kJ/ mol

 The equilibrium can be controlled to favour product alcohol if
high pressures and low temperatures are applied. The advantage of low
temperature is difficult to utilize, however, because most known
catalysts require high or moderate temperatures to be effective.

Tokuyama Process:-

Preheated propylene, water and recycled aqueous catalyst

solution are pressurised and fed into a reaction chamber where they react
in the liquid state at 270 °C and 20.3 Mpa (200 atm) and form aqueous
isopropyl alcohol. Propylene conversion of 60-70% per pass are
obtained, and selectivity to isopropyl alcohol is 98-99 mol% converted
propylene.

The catalyst is recycled and requires little replenishment

compared to other processes. Corrosion and environmental problem are
also minimized because the catalyst is a week acid and because the
system is completely closed. On account of the low gas recycle ratio,
regular commercial propylene of 95% purity can be use as a feedstock.

After flashing the propylene, the aqueous solution from the

separator is sent to the purification section where the catalyst is
separated by distillation; 88 wt% isopropyl alcohol is obtained overhead.
The bottom product contains light ends.

These light ends are stripped of low boiling impurities, e.g.,

diisopropyl ether. Distillation yields are 99.99% pure dry isopropyl
alcohol. [5][7]
 Process Diagram :

85°C 90°C
65°C

70°C
65°C

75°C

50°C 65°C
60°C

[5]
PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM OF ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
MATERIAL BALANCE :

Reaction,
CH3CHCH2 + H2O (CH3)2CHOH

BASIS :- 500 tones per day isopropyl alcohol produced

Production Per hr = (500*1000)/(24*60)
= 347.22 kmole/hr
= 20833.33 Kg/hr

conversion is 0.65.
Propylene required = 347.22/0.65 = 534.18 kmole/hr
= 22435.75 kg/hr
&
Propylene reacted = 347.22*42 = 14583.24 kg/hr

Propylene unreacted = 22435.75 – 14583.24 = 7852.51 kg/hr

Now,
Water used = 347.22*18 = 6249.96 kg/hr
  Reactor :

Propylene IPA +Diisopropyl ether

Reactor
+ Unreacted C3H6

Water

In inlet,

Propylene = 22435.75 kg/hr

Water = 6249.96 kg/hr
= 28685.71 kg/hr
In outlet,

IPA = 20625.49 kg/hr

Unreacted C3H6= 7852.51 kg/hr
Diisopropyl ether = 208.34kg/hr
= 28685.71 kg/hr
  Separator :
Propylene recovery
IPA +Diisopropyl
ether +

Unreacted C3H6 Separator IPA +Diisopropyl ether

Inlet = 28685.71 kg/hr

Outlet,

IPA = 20625.49 kg/hr

Unreacted C3H6 = 7852.51 kg/hr
Diisopropyl ether = 208.34 kg/hr
= 28685.71 kg/hr

 Stripper

In this 30% Water is removed in diisopropyl ether at the bottom. So,

At bottom H2O removed = 208.33*0.30 = 62.499 kg/hr.
&
At top = 20625.49 + 208.33*0.70 = 20771.321 kg/hr remained.
  Distillation column 1 :

In this column 80% IPA obtained at top and remaining light end cut goes
next column.
So,
Feed enter in the column = 20771.321 kg/hr
At top 80% IPA produced = 20625.49*0.80 = 18150.43 kg/hr
&
At bottom remained light end cut = 2475.05 + 145.831
= 2620.881 kg/hr

 Distillation column 2 :

In final column 99% IPA obtained at bottom and remaining diisopropyl

ether and other impurities removed.
So,
IPA obtained at top = 2475.05*0.99 = 2450.29 kg/hr
&
By product = 145.831 + 24.75 = 170.58 kg/hr

So, overall Isopropyl alcohol obtained = 18150.43 + 2450.29

= 20600.72 kg/hr
HEAT BALANCE :

BASIS : 1 hr operation.

 Reactor :

(mCp ∆T)reactants - ∆HR + Q = (mCp ∆T)products

Q = heat released by exothermic reaction.

Feed entering at 50°C& reference temperature Tref = 50°C .

Tr is reactor temperature = 270 °C

∆T = 270 - 50 = 220 °C

∆HR = heat of reaction

= -50 kJ /mole * 347.22 * 103 mole
= -1.73*1010 J

Component mass (m) kg Cp (J/kgK) at 270 °C

Propylene 7852.51 2369
IPA 20625.49 2259
Diisopropyl ether 208.34 2411.49

(mCp ∆T)product = [(7852.51*23690) + (20625.49*2259) +

(208.34*2411.49)]*220
10
= 1.44 * 10 J

Now
Q = 3.17 * 1010 J
  Heat exchanger :

Component mass (kg) Cp at 160 °C Cp at 60 °C

Propylene 7825.51 2020.75 1675
IPA 20625.49 1950.10 1625
DIPE 208.34 2065.26 1677

(mCp ∆T)feed = [(7852.51*2020.75) + (20625.49*1950.10)

+ (208.34*2065.26)]*220
= 1.243 * 1010 J

(mCp ∆T)product = [(7852.51*1675) + (20625.49*1625)

+ (208.34*1677)]*(70-50)
= 9.40 x 108 J

QHE = (mCp ∆T)feed - (mCp ∆T)product

= 1.148 x 1010 J

Water enter in heat exchanger = (1.148 x 1010 / 4184*30 )

= 91536.2 kg.

 Separator :

Heat in separator = 9.40 x 108 J

Component mass (kg) Cp at 57.5 .C

Propylene 7825.51 1670
IPA 20625.49 1612
DIPE 208.34 1662
(mCp ∆T)product = (7852.51*1670*15) +
[(20625.49*1612)+(208.34*1662)]*(60-50)
= 5.32 x 108 J

For separation required heat = (9.40 - 5.32) x 108

 Stripper :

The energy leaving the stripper = 5.32 x 108 J

 Distillation column 1 :

Q inlet in column = 5.32 x 108 J

For condenser duty :-

Component mass (kg) Cp at 74.5°C Cp at 80 °C Cp at 67.5 °C

IPA 18150.43 1672 1692 -
IPA 2475.05 - - 3188.06
DIPE 145.831 - - 2283.79

Heat out from top of column :

(mCp ∆T) = 18150.43*1672*(85-69)
= 6.37 x 108 J

Heat out from condenser :

(mCp ∆T) + mλ = 18150.43*169*(85-75) + 18150.43*322.2
= 3.12 x 108 J
Heat removed in condenser :
Qc = (6.37 x 108- 3.12 x 108)
=3.25 x 108 J

Water required for cooling in condensate = (3.25 x 108 / 4184*10)

= 7767.68 kg

QB = (mCp ∆T) = [(2475.05*3188.06) + (145.831*2283.79)*(70-65)

= 4.11 x107 J

Required steam in reboiler = (4.11 x 107 / 2260)

= 18185.84 kg

 Distillation column 2 :

Q inlet in column = 4.11 x 107 J

For condenser duty :-

Component mass (kg) Cp at 77.5°C Cp at 80°C

IPA 24.75 1684 1762.82
IPA 2450.29 - 3250
DIPE 145.831 1751 -

Heat out from top of column :

(mCp ∆T) = [(24.75*1684) + (145.831*1751)]*(90-65)
= 7.42 x 106 J

Heat out from condenser :

(mCp ∆T) + mλ = 24.75*[1762.82*(90-70) + 322.2]
+ 145.831*[1693.13*(90-70) + 2730.4]
= 6.21 x 106 J
Heat removed in condenser :
Qc = (7.42 x 106 - 6.21 x 106)
= 1.21 x 106 J

Water required for cooling in condensate = (1.21 x 106 / 4184*20)

= 14.45 kg

QB = (mCp ∆T) = 2450.29*3250*(75-65)

= 7.96 x 107 J

Required steam in reboiler = (7.96 x 107 / 2260)

= 35221.23 kg
REFERENCES

1. www.isopropylalcohol.weebly.com

2. www.naturalwellbeing.com

3. www.bizvibe.com

4. www.labchem.com

5. Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology by Krik & Othemer

6. Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry by Ullmann

7. All specific heat (Cp) & latent heat of vaporization (λ) data taken
from the Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook