Adipic acid is an essential component in the manufacturing of chemical fibers, nylon 66, engineering plastics, and various pharmaceutical, food, and chemical products. The traditional method for producing adipic acid involves an eco-friendly process that entails the oxidation of cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) catalyzed by sodium tungstate (Na2WO4).
However, it has been observed that the reaction involved in the green synthesis of adipic acid is prone to exothermic decomposition of H2O2, leading to thermal runaway due to the high heat generated. Studies have indicated that certain metal ions can either accelerate or inhibit the decomposition of H2O2. The addition of stabilizers such as EDTA has also been found to effectively reduce this decomposition.
Nevertheless, research concerning the enhancement of H2O2 stability in the reaction and the improvement of adipic acid production process safety is limited.
The research article, “Effect of stabilizer EDTA on the thermal hazard of green synthesis process of adipic acid and development of microchannel continuous flow process”, published in the Emergency Management Science and Technology, provides a comprehensive analysis of calorimetric experiments on the green synthesis reaction of adipic acid. This study focuses on assessing the thermal parameters and reaction kinetics in a pilot-scale RC1e experiment and a microchannel continuous flow process.
The findings of the study have established that the green synthesis of adipic acid involves a two-stage reaction, with significant exothermic reactions posing risks of thermal runaway, particularly when reflux is absent during the second stage. The inclusion of the stabilizer EDTA has been shown to significantly reduce these risks by lowering the maximum temperature of the synthesis reaction (MTSR), thus improving process safety.
Furthermore, experiments conducted in a stainless steel capillary microreactor have demonstrated that the decomposition of H2O2 increases with the increase of residence time and temperature, while the addition of EDTA effectively reduces this decomposition.
Ultimately, the research successfully yielded adipic acid with a 63.25% yield in a high-pressure microchannel reactor, highlighting the potential for a safer and more efficient continuous flow synthesis process. These findings underscore the effectiveness of EDTA in stabilizing H2O2 and preventing thermal runaway, as well as emphasize the value of microchannel reactors in enhancing the intrinsic safety and efficiency of adipic acid synthesis.
This scientific breakthrough holds significant promise for the future application of green chemistry principles in industrial processes, particularly in the production of adipic acid. Ultimately, it contributes to safer and more sustainable chemical manufacturing practices.
For further details, the research article titled “Effect of stabilizer EDTA on the thermal hazard of green synthesis process of adipic acid and development of microchannel continuous flow process” in the Emergency Management Science and Technology journal can be consulted.
Citation:
Weidong He et al, Effect of stabilizer EDTA on the thermal hazard of green synthesis process of adipic acid and development of microchannel continuous flow process, Emergency Management Science and Technology (2023).
DOI: 10.48130/EMST-2023-0022
Contributed by Maximum Academic Press
Reference:
Maximum Academic Press. (2024, March 25). Enhancing safety in green adipic acid synthesis: The role of EDTA stabilizer and microchannel flow technology. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-safety-green-adipic-acid-synthesis.html