Butanediol and Tetrahydrofuran

Supplier: Davy Process Technology

Application:

• Production leading, in one reaction, to obtaining three products: butanediol (BDO), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and gamma butyrolactone (GBL), in variable proportions.

Specification:

• Process utilizes, in a intermediate phase, maleic anhydride that can be obtained by oxidation of butane or benzene (economically competitive process when compared to alternative sources utilizing acetylene, butadiene and propylene oxide).
• Esterification of maleic anhydride is conducted in a reactive column in the presence of stable esterification catalyst to create dimethyl maleate, intermediate ester, which is further hydrogenated, in steam phase, to mixtures of BDO, THF and GBL.
• Through modification of operating parameters and catalyst exposition, ratio of BDO and THF produced may be altered so that it suits current market demands. GBL however is always produced and may be recycled into the process or extracted, according to needs.
• Product's refining leads to high quality of BDO (production of technological resins: PBT and UPR), THF (production of PTMEG for polyurethane fibers (spandex)) and GBL (used in production of solvents such as NMP)