Wacker-Hoechst Process - Complete combustion problem

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Jorditg - 19 May 2005 08:25 GMT

Hi all,

Could it be possible to have small explosions or complete combustions
in a reactor used for the production of acetaldehyde from ethylene and
oxygen under a Palladium and Copper Chlorides solution as a
Catalysator? (Solution temperature 125 ?C, Pressure 3kg/cm2?g, 66%
ethylene, 8% oxygen).

Thanks in advance.

Jordi

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Gabriel Tojo" - 26 May 2005 08:24 GMT

Both Platinum and Paladium react with almost any kind of organic matter
resulting in the formation of metal hydrides on the surface of the
metallic particles. These metal hydrides may react with oxygen in a
explosive way.

I am sure that it is possible to have small explosions and big ones as
well. In fact, provided good enough thermodinamics, any reaction may go
explosive. This is something to think about in any scale-up.

In my opinion, on scale-up all reactions must be considered potentially
explosive by default.

Best regards.

Gabriel Tojo

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Natural Science Forum / Chemistry / Organic Synthesis / May 2005

Wacker-Hoechst Process - Complete combustion problem