Pilot-scale equipment for alcohol ether production.
The unit comprises five major components: a feed unit, a reaction unit, a tail gas absorption unit, utility systems, and a control system. The exterior of the unit’s frame is fitted with acrylic sealing panels, while the top of the frame is equipped with an explosion‑proof induced draft fan that operates continuously during experiments. A vacuum pump evacuates the system to remove moisture, after which nitrogen—after being regulated in pressure by a pressure reducing valve—is used to purge and replace the contents of the raw material tanks and the reactor. The raw material tanks are then purged with nitrogen. Propylene oxide, via interlocked cut-off valves and electronic weighing scales, is preheated in a preheater before being fed into the reactor. Once inside the reactor, stirring is initiated and the temperature is raised, while nitrogen is used to pressurize the system. Ethylene oxide is metered and controlled by a flowmeter, preheated in a preheater, and then introduced into the reactor. The ethylene oxide feed system is housed within a low‑temperature constant‑temperature chamber to maintain the ethylene oxide in liquid form. The reactor inlet is fitted with temperature and pressure measurement points. Materials undergo reaction within the reactor, which is thermally controlled using an oil bath jacket, supplemented by heat transfer via internal coil piping; the reactor temperature is interlocked with the regulating valve at the coil inlet. The reactor is equipped with pressure gauges, pressure sensors, rupture discs, proportional relief valves, as well as pneumatic ball valves for emergency venting in cases of overtemperature or overpressure—providing comprehensive pressure monitoring and safety measures. The bottom outlet valve and pipeline are heated using self‑limiting heating cables. After the reaction is complete, the exhaust valve is opened; the tail gas is scrubbed through an alkaline wash tower before being discharged, after which the system is evacuated under vacuum and purged. The gases are then discharged following passage through the alkaline wash tower. The entire unit is designed in accordance with the explosion‑proof IIBT4 standard. The equipment is centrally mounted on an aluminum alloy frame and is equipped with a Siemens automated control system.
