FLOW-THROUGH MICROCHANNEL REACTOR AND METHOD OF PRODUCING TRIETHANOLAMINE THEREIN Russian patent published in 2016 - IPC C07C215/10 C07C213/04 B01J19/24 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an improved method of producing triethanolamine (TEA). Triethanolamine is widely used in various industries, for example in production of emulsifiers, surfactants, liquid synthetic detergents and cleaning agents, plasticisers, chemical pH regulators, softening and binding agents (rubber and industrial rubber products), antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, absorbents for purifying natural and industrial gases from acid impurities, as well as in production of biocides, intermediate products in synthesis of medicinal preparations and perfume-cosmetic agents. Proposed method is carried out by ammonolysis of ethylene oxide at temperature of 110-150 °C and pressure of 2-15 MPa while feeding ethylene oxide on one side and water with ammonia on other side, in molar ratio ammonia/aluminium oxide from 1 to 2, molar ratio water/ammonia 5-15. Method is characterised by conducting process in a microchannel flow reactor, comprising a mixing chamber and at least one microchannel plate with channels with an elongated shape, wherein reactor has two inlets, one for supply of ethylene oxide, and other for supply of water and ammonia mixture, and feeding is carried out continuously at inlet of mixer with subsequent uniform mixing in microchannels with contact time 0.1-10 minutes. Reactor is used for reaction, where microchannel plates are made of metal resistant to aqueous ammonia medium, and microchannel plate 2 has at least two channels. Channels in microchannel plate can be parallel or intersecting, and can have depth and width of 0.2 to 2 mm.

EFFECT: method improves colour index of obtained product and increases selectivity and conversion.

6 cl, 3 dwg, 1 tbl, 13 ex