In the 60's DSM has purchased the phenol production technology and the production facilities in Rotterdam, the Netherlands from Dow. In the following years several debottlenecking projects have been executed to increase the capacity and optimize the process. Phenol was mainly produced for captive use as feedstock for the production of Caprolactam.
On an opportunity basis the technology has been licensed-out. Until recently Nippon Steel Chemicals (Japan) operated 120 kta according to the classical DSM phenol route.
In recent years DSM has transformed into a specialty company. Hence in 2004 it has been decided to focus on intermediates and derivatives only, and terminate the production of phenol. Stamicarbon, the DSM licensing center, is currently pursuing licensing opportunities for this Toluene-to-Phenol technology.
Applications
In general Toluene is feedstock to several industries. Over 65% of the global phenol production is used for the production of polycarbonate via Bisphenol A and phenol-formaldehyde resins. Other applications are the production of Caprolactam, alkylphenols, aniline and adipic acid.
Benefits
This process is the only alternative to the commonly known cumene process. The DSM process is to a lesser extent dependent on the benzene price (although there is a Toluene/Benzene relation). The profitability of the phenol produced in the toluene phenol process is not influenced by the proceeds of a high volume by-product Acetone. DSM technology produces a small amount of benzene by-product.
The DSM technology can significantly increase the value of a toluene stream.
Technical details
In the DSM phenol process, phenol is derived from toluene in a two-stage oxidation process. The first stage is the oxidation of toluene in the intermediate product benzoic acid. The second stage is the oxidation of benzoic acid in phenol.
Heavies produced during these two oxidation reactions end up in a tar stream. This tar is incinerated in a furnace for the production of high pressure steam.
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