Process details
- Overview
- Inflow measurement of catalyst
- Inflow measurement of tower/Makeup acid
- Level measurement of tank for nitric acid
- Level measurement of tanks for diluted nitric acid and in the oxidation reactor
- Pressure measurement in nitric acid tank
- Nitric acid flow measurement to oxidation reactor
- Inflow measurement of cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol mixture to oxidation reactor
- (Variable area) flow measurement of reoxidation products
- Pressure measurement in raw adipic acid suspension tank
- Monitoring of dissipated vapours/exhaust air
- Pressure measurement of bittern tank
- Level measurement in a tank with recovered washer fluid
- Flow measurement of recovered washer fluid and bittern
- (Variable area) flow measurement of transfer fluid
- Level measurement of adipic acid solution mixer
- Conductive conductivity measurement of adipic acid solution
- Level measurement of process and storage tank of (semi-)finished adipic acid
Adipic acid extraction in plastics & polymers production
High-Precision Instrumentation for Monitoring and Controlling Adipic Acid Synthesis
Adipic acid is an important intermediate product for polyamide 6.6 (Nylon), but is also a precursor for thermoplastic polyurethanes and other elastomers, flexible or rigid foams. Industrially, adipic acid is obtained today from a cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol mixture in a multi-stage process. When treated with nitric acid, which has first been diluted accordingly, the mixture oxidises in the presence of catalysts (acids) to form a suspension of raw adipic acid. This produces nitrogen oxides (e.g. nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and dinitrogen monoxide (N2=), as well as possibly carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
These nitrogen oxides are separated in a different step and recycled in the nitric acid cycle. Then the crystallised adipic acid is separated. Part of the bittern from the adipic acid crystallisation is discharged from the process to prevent byproducts from accumulating and to achieve greater efficiency. The final process stages involve concentrating, crystallising/separating, purifying, cooling and drying the adipic acid produced, which at the end will be a white powder in the form of monoclinic crystals.
Costs are key when it comes to manufacturing fine chemicals on a large scale and the demand for cost-effective and efficient synthesis routes is thus high. The aim is to achieve a high yield of adipic acid, sustainable use of raw materials and energy sources as well as recovery of the basic substances in their entirety. This requires optimisation of both the chemical reactions and the process technology. KROHNE can offer a wide range of innovative, state-of-the-art measuring technology in this respect. This includes, for example, 3-path ultrasonic flowmeters based on the transit time difference principle which can identify changes in the process/contamination of the liquids via the sound velocity. Coriolis mass flowmeters are ideal for challenging process tasks and are available in four materials (titanium, stainless steel, Hastelloy® C, tantalum) to meet every requirement. Our electromagnetic flowmeters can also come fitted with an optional measuring tube made of high-tech ceramic for very aggressive liquids such as nitric acid and are extremely durable, thus saving staff resources and money.
Requirements
- Corrosion resistant sensor materials: titanium, stainless steel, Hastelloy® or tantalum
- Single straight tube design
Recommended products and solutions
Requirements
- Corrosion resistant sensor materials: titanium, stainless steel, Hastelloy® or tantalum
- Single straight tube design
Recommended products and solutions
Requirements
- Extensive choice of probes for harsh process conditions
- Converter is rotatable and removable under process conditions
Recommended products and solutions
Requirements
- METAGLAS® second sealing barrier
- designed for continuous, non-contact level measurement in storage and process tanks
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- Monitoring of intertisation pressure
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- Ceramic liner to cope with most aggressive and abrasive fluids
- Virtual reference grounding method: no grounding rings needed
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- Virtually no pressure loss
- Large dynamic range
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- Optional stainless steel housing for corrosive atmospheres
- Measurement possible without auxiliary power supply
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- Precise and long-term stable measurement
- Remote converter
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- Flange or space-saving sandwich (wafer) version
- Integrated P+T measurement: output of gross/net heat
Recommended products and solutions
Requirements
- Precise and long-term stable measurement
- Bluetooth device access
Recommended products and solutions
Requirements
- Extensive choice of probes for harsh process conditions
- Converter is rotatable and removable under process conditions
Recommended products and solutions
Requirements
- Flowmeter for low conductivity liquids (≥0.05 µS/cm)
- Capacitive pick up, immune against electric isolation
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Requirements
- Any installation position: vertical, horizontal or upside down
- Sturdy all-metal flowmeter also for high pressures and temperatures
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- PTFE Lens antennas (no tank intrusion), insensitive to deposit
- For demanding liquid applications involving narrow tanks and internal obstructions
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- Process conrol
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Requirements
- Remote converter up to 100 m / 328 ft
- Purging system for antenna cleaning