Wacker-Hoescht process and the possibilility of explosions

jorditg · science forum beginner Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3

Hi all,

I would like to know under wich circumstances could be possible to have
a direct combustion, deflagration or explosion inside a reactor where
takes place a Wacker-Hoescht process reaction: A recirculating gas
mixture mainly of Ethylene (65% mol) and Oxygen (8% mol) feeded
bubbling inside a reactor containing a liquid acid solution of
Palladium and Copper Chlorides at 130ºC and 3 barg.

Is it possible to have it without an ingnition point?

Could be possible that an accumulation of Palladium salts in contact
with such a gas mixture could provoke a direct combustion?

muha · science forum Guru Wannabe Joined: 08 May 2005 Posts: 167

fire is always hazard if you use oxygen and the composition must be
carefuly controled. Pd black may form and it would be capable of
igniting the mix. There are other oxidants for Wacker but those would
not be cost effective in comodity chemical production.

I do not know th exact diagaram on explosivity limits of the ethylene
oxygen mix but my feel is that the minimum O2 explosivity limit will be
pretty low.

All the above applies to air oxidation of propylene over platinum yet
this is the insdustry favored method for producing acrolein, the
acrylate intermediate.

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