Reactive Monomer Applications

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WPS Headquarters
1601 W. Diehl Road
Naperville, Il 60563-1198
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Sugar Land, TX 77478
281-263-7000 Phone

Fortis® Antifoulant for Butadiene Manufacturing

A butadiene recovery unit consist of three different areas: extraction, purification and a solvent recovery section. Industrially, there are three common designs, differing in terms of solvent used and a few other details, however, the general idea is the same behind all of them -- use a solvent to extract the butadiene from the crude C4 stream.

The extractor tower bottoms carry the rich solvent, while the overhead contains the butanes and butenes (raffinate). The solvent and butadiene are then separated easily in the stripper tower, due to the difference in their boiling points.

Since butadiene is a monomer prone to polymerization (even in absence of initiators), the most common limitation found in butadiene facilities is the formation of butadiene polymers and tars. The first is a result of the monomer degradation; the second is typically linked to progressive solvent degradation.

When polybutadiene develops in vapour spaces in the presence of high butadiene concentrations, it can grow as popcorn polymer. This popcorn is a serious problem and its uncontrollable and accelerated growth can easily disrupt unit operations.

Nalco is the global leader in offering chemical programs to control and mitigate the fouling of butadiene plants. These programs are adjusted to specific designs, customer requirements and plant limitations, and have been validated during more than twenty years of experience.