TC
Chematur Engineering Technology Centre Our Technology Centre (TC) is equipped with the latest and most sophisticated equipment to support our own development as well as client specific missions. The main features of our TC are the following: A bench scale continuous Pump nitration unit including a washing section where the proprietary Pump nitration technology can be optimized and various parameters can be studied in detail. The unit is equipped with a fully automated control system of the same type as would be installed in a commercial size plant. The nitration of toluene to produce nitrotoluenes (MNT) and dinitrotoluenes (DNT) has been extensively studied. Also the nitration of p-nitrotoluene (PNT) to 2,4DNT has been developed. The process for nitration of benzene to dinitrobenzene (DNB) via nitrobenzene (MNB) is under development. A well agitated bench scale CSTR hydrogenator capable of operation at up to 140 bar pressure. The hydrogenator can be operated in continuous mode for long periods of time to study e.g. the ageing of the catalyst. It features a continuous addition of feed materials which are solids at room temperature, e.g. DNT. All data are continuously logged for later evaluation. Addition of fresh catalyst can be made without interrupting the process. By careful control of parameters, direct scale up to commercial size hydrogenators (30-60 m3) has
been made in a very successful and reliable way. The hydrogenation of DNT (isomer mixture) to toluenediamine (TDA) as well as 2,4-DNT to 2,4-toluenediamine (2,4-TDA) has been developed and optimised using a proprietary catalyst. The use of a proprietary catalyst not only gives superior performance in terms of selectivity but also saves considerable cost as the carbon carrier is much cheaper than catalyst made by a third party (precious metal excluded). The hydrogenation of DNB to produce m-phenylenediamine (PhDA) is under development. Our extensive hydrogenation know-how can also be utilised to develop customer specific products. A state of the art bench scale phosgenation unit for optimization of our TDI and MDI technologies as well as for development of new phosgenation products. The unit features the most stringent safety systems and very precise control of flows, temperatures and pressures. All data are logged for post-run evaluation. The bench scale unit can be used to develop custom products requiring phosgenation for external clients. Chematur can design and supply phosgene production units to clients, from small units for the pharmaceutical and the fine chemicals industry up to world scale units to support the TDI and MDI industry.