Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques
2020, Volume 8, Issue 4, Pages: 1491-1497
J. Environ. Treat. Tech.
ISSN: 2309-1185
Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com
https://doi.org/10.47277/JETT/1497
Development of a Mathematical Model for Kinetics
of Obtaining Isocyanate via a Non-Phosgene
Method for Example Benzylisocyanate
1
2
Dashkin R. R. , Shishanov M. V.
1Head of the MUCTR Engineering center, D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Moscow, Russia, 20 Geroyev Panfilovtsev str.,
Moscow
2
Leading engineer of the MUCTR Engineering center, D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Moscow, Russia, 20 Geroyev
Panfilovtsev str., Moscow
Received: 02/07/2020
Accepted: 08/10/2020
Published: 20/12/2020
Abstract
The paper considers theprocess of developing a mathematicalmodel for kineticsof obtainingisocyanates via a non-phosgene method
non-catalytic thermolysis of carbamates. A mathematical model is presented, kinetic parameters such as activation energy and a pre-
—
exponential multiplier are ascertained.
Keywords: Isocyanate production, non-phosgene technology, mathematical model, thermolysis of carbamates, kinetics of
decomposition
equilibriumof the decomposition reaction will shifttowards the
1
Introduction
formation of the target isocyanate, ensuringa satisfactory yield
of the product. For today, the process of obtaining isocyanates
by decomposing carbamates remains poorly understood, in
particular, the kinetic data of the reaction are almost absent. In
the conditions of growing demand for isocyanate raw materials
both in Russia and on the world market, as well as the lack of
industrially applicable phosphorless technology for producing
isocyanates, the study of the method for obtaining isocyanates
by thermal decomposition is an extremely relevant area of
research. Due to the need to studythe kineticsof the carbamates
decomposition, a mathematical model for the kinetics of the
obtaining benzylisocyanate reaction was constructed with the
determination of kinetic parameters – the pre-exponential
Isocyanates are one of the most relevant products of the
chemical industry, as they are primary products for the
polyurethanes production, which are used in construction, in
the production of automotive parts, insulation materials,
paintwork products, adhesives, paints, fillers for upholstered
furniture (1). The main method for obtaining polyurethanes is
the interaction of isocyanates by nucleophilic addition of
polyols (2). In addition, isocyanates are valuable intermediates
in organic synthesis of pesticides and other biologically active
substances (3). Despite the wide range of applications of
isocyanates in the world practice, the main method of
production is still the technology using phosgene (4-7), which
makes production unecological, and modern standards and
requirements for the protection of human health and the
environment leads to an urgent need to develop an
environmentally friendly method for obtaining isocyanates.
It is known that esters of N-substituted carbamic acid can
be precursors in the synthesis of isocyanates. The method of
obtaining isocyanates (8,9), which consists in splitting alcohol
from carbamate when heated or with various catalysts (Fig. 1),
can be called one of the most promising.
multiplier and the activation energy (k
0 A
and E ) from
experimental data. The mathematical model will allow to scale
the process and work out critical parametersat the design stage
for a semi-industrial plant with non-isothermal conditions in
the reactor.
1
.1 Experimental part
The mathematical model was constructed using
experimental data obtained using a plant for thermal
decomposition of carbamates. To develop the kinetic model,
we conducted a series of experiments using an experimental
setup, the flow diagram of which is shown in figure 2. The
Decomposed carbamate was pre-mixed with an inert gas
(
argon) and the mixture was heated to a predetermined
Figure 1: The general scheme of the carbamates decomposition
reaction
temperature in unit 1. Further, the mixture was delivered in
gaseous form to the unit 2 (reactor), where the process of
carbamate decomposition took place and the formation of a
products mixture with target isocyanate and alcohol. Then the
reaction products were fed to the sorption unit 3, where the
sorption solution was located. In this unit, the product of the
carbamate decomposition reaction (isocyanate) reacted with N-
methylbenzylamine to form urea, and the inert carrier gas
partially together with alcohol went into the waste gases.
The complexity of implementing this method in industry is
related to the reversibility of the reaction. However, there are
ways to shift the balance towards product formation by
reducing the concentration of one of the products. So in
practice, a promising solution to this problem can be the
rectification of a products mixture, as a result of which the
alcohol will be removed from the resulting mixture. Thus, the
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