Propylene Glycol Formation Through Water & Propylene Oxide | Chemical Engineering | Mixer & Reactor

OBJECTIVE: Propylene Glycol is commonly used as food additive. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics and food products. It is also used as a solvent for food colors and flavors.

Propylene oxide is combined with water to produce propylene glycol in a CSTR, the propylene oxide and water feed stream are combined in a mixer. The combined stream is fed to a reactor at atmospheric pressure in which propylene glycol is produced. Simulate the process and develop a process flow diagram by using ASPIN HYSYS and calculate the final composition of the product.

Given Properties:

Fluid Package: UNIQUAC
A (Arrhenius Cons): 1.7exp13

E (Activation Energy) = 3.24 × 10^4

Volume Of CSTR: 280 ft³
Liquid Volume: 80%

Propylene Oxide:

Temperature = 75 °F
Pressure = 1.1 atm
Molar Flow Rate = 150 lb.mol/hr

Water:

Temperature = 75 °F
Pressure = 16.17 psia
Molar Flow Rate = 11000 lb.mol/hr