Chemicals and Petrochemicals

Biodiesel purification

Biodiesel is produced by the trans-esterification of natural triglycerides with methanol

Glycerin is a by-product of the trans-esterification which has to be removed before biodiesel use. Biodiesel purification can be achieved using a dry Strong Acid Cation in the H+ form. The resin can be washed with methanol when its adsorption capacity is reached.

Product: Resinex DK-8

Solvent purification

Methanol purification

Metal impurities such as iron and manganese in crud methanol form an unwanted precipitate during neutralization and distillation to recover purified methanol. Precipitation can be prevented by treating crud methanol with a Strong Acid Cation in H+ which removes Mn2+ and Fe3+ before neutralization and distillation. The resin is regenerated with sulfuric acid

Product: KP H series

Resinex KP H can be also employed to remove amine impurities form methanol. In that case, as the amines concentrations are low, depending on the size of the system, the resin can be for one-way-use.

Phenol purification

In the cumene reaction for phenol production, the 2 products phenol and acetone are recovered by distillation. Before distillation, it is necessary to remove acidity. Phenol deacidification can be achieved using a Weak Base Anion resin such as Resinex CAT-23. The resin is conditioned with methanol at start-up and for the regeneration with caustic soda (sweetening-on, sweetening off).

After distillation, remaining impurities of same molecular weight as phenol (e.g. methylstyrene, acetophenone…) can be removed by condensation with phenol which produces easily separable high boiling products. A Strong Acid Cation resin in H+ form as Resinex CAT-9 can be used as catalyst for this condensation reaction.

Catalysis

The use of ion exchange resins as catalysts is well established and has increased the sustainability of making a host of well-known products. Ion exchange catalysts are a green chemistry solution because they can be reused many times, enable minimal energy consumption, and reduce the handling of hazardous materials.

Jacobi’s portfolio of heterogeneous catalysts are designed to provide excellent diffusional access, selectivity, and mechanical stability for each major reaction type, ensuring maximum yield and throughput in the process. Our products are engineered to withstand many cycles of industrial use, leading to a cost-effective solution.

We offer specialised catalysts for the following processes:

• Base catalysis
• Synthesis of bisphenol-A used in polycarbonates and epoxy resins
• Synthesis of 1,4-Butanediol for polymers and solvents
• Etherification to make fuel additives such as MTBE, ETBE, and TAME
• MIBK synthesis for rubber, coatings, adhesives
• MEK synthesis
• Phenol alkylation to produce detergents for lubricants
• Butylene hydration to produce tert-butyl alcohol (TBA)
• Isobutyle dimerization to produce isooctane

Chemicals Processing

The breadth and versatility of IEX is nowhere more evident than in key synthesis and purification applications in the chemical industry. Jacobi offers a full line of catalysts, IEX resins, and adsorbents that manufacturers use to meet stringent product requirements and environmental regulations, including the following applications:

• Biodiesel purification
• Chlor-alkali electrolysis (brine softening)
• Catalyst recovery
• Deacidification
• Heavy metals removal and precious metals recovery
• Hydrogen peroxide purification
• Phenol purification
• Solvent purification