Background

Methylamines (in this study MMA, DMA and TMA) are used to make intermediates for a wide
range of agricultural chemicals, animal nutrients, catalysts, electronics, explosives, fuel
additives as well as gas and oil treatments. In this part of the report the main applications of the
products and their physical properties will be discussed.

Introduction / Theory
The objective of this project is to design a process to convert raw material into final products
streams of mono-methylamine (MMA), di-methylamine (DMA) and tri-methylamine (TMA),
while keeping the process economical, energy efficient, safe and environmental friendly. This
project was selected due to an ever increasing demand for the mentioned chemicals in
different applications.

This conceptual design project contains main elements of the report and analysis from
feasibility study, economical potential analysis and selecting a process flow sheet by process
synthesis method. Later, a simple mass balance and energy balance, detailed process
simulation, equipment sizing, costing as well as the economic evaluation will be performed. This
is aimed at designing a production plant which can produce approximately 1200 kg/hr MMA,
4500 kg/hr DMA and 1200 kg/hr TMA. Production rate for the each product per year is given in
the following table:

Production rate of the products

Chemical Required
1. Bromine
2. Caustic Potash (KOH)
3. Acetamide

Procedure
 Equivalent amounts of bromine and acetamide are taken in a siltation flasks
 Then 10% caustic potash solution is slowly added until the reddish color of bromine is just
discharged.
 The distillation flask is then fitted with a dropping funnel containing 50% solutions of KOH
and a delivery tube bent at right angles.
 The other end of the delivery tube is connected with a funnel which is kept slightly
immersed in dil. HCL in a braker
 A 40 % solution of KOH is then added slowly into the flask and the flask is warmed gently
on a water bath at 70″C.
 When the solution in the flask becomes colorless it is distilled.
 Methylamine distills over and is absorbed in the dilute HCl taken in the beaker to form
Methylamine Hydrochloride.
 Purification: Methylamine hydrochloride solution in the beaker is then evaporated on a
water bath when crystals of methylamine hydrochloride are obtained. These crystals are
collected and heated with KOH when pure methylamine distills over.