Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 168

Prepared by Helen Njeri NJENGA

African Virtual university

Universit Virtuelle Africaine
Universidade Virtual Africana

/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '
This document is published under the conditions of the Creative Commons
License (abbreviated cc-by), Version 2.5.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 2
I. IndustrialChemistry________________________________________3
II. PrerequisiteCourseorKnowledge _____________________________3
III. Time ____________________________________________________3
IV. Materials_________________________________________________4
V. ModuleRationale __________________________________________4
VI. Content__________________________________________________5
6.1 Overview___________________________________________5
6.2 Outline _____________________________________________5
6.3 GraphicOrganizer_____________________________________7
VII. GeneralObjective(s)________________________________________8
VIII. SpecificLearningActivities___________________________________8
IX. Pre-assessment __________________________________________11
X. CompiledListofallKeyConcepts(Glossary)____________________14
XI. CompiledListofCompulsoryReadings________________________15
XII. CompiledListofResources_________________________________16
XIII. CompiledListofUsefulLinks________________________________17
XIV. LearningActivities_________________________________________20
XV. SynthesisoftheModule___________________________________162
XVI.SummativeEvaluation ____________________________________163
XIX.MainAuthoroftheModule _________________________________166

Table of ConTenTs
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J
I. Industrial Chemistry
By Dr. Helen Njeri Njenga, University of Nairobi and William Wanasolo
II. Prerequisite Courses or Knowledge
Module 5
Unit I Basic Organic Chemistry
Unit II Hydrocarbons
Unit III Alkyl halides
Unit IV Amines
Module 6
Unit I Alcohols and ethers
Unit III Carboxylic acids and their derivatives
Module 7
Unit I Benzene and its derivatives
Unit III Heterocyclic compounds
Module 9
Chemical principles of variable constituents
III. Time
This unit will require 120 hours
Unit I Introduction to industrial chemistry and the chemical industry (15 hrs)
Unit 2. Unit Operations and Unit Processes (20 hrs)
Unit 3. Industrial Inorganic Chemistry I (Extractive Metallurgy) (10 hrs)
Unit 4. Industrial Inorganic Chemistry II (Chlor-alkali, Ammonia, Sulphuric
Acid, Fertilizer and Cement) (20 hrs)
Unit 5. Industrial Organic Chemistry I (Petroleum, Petrochemicals and Po-
lymers) (25 hrs)
Unit 6. Industrial Organic Chemistry II (Fermentation, Ethanol, Pharmaceu-
ticals, Soaps and Detergents) (25 hrs)
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 4
IV. Materials
You will require the following tools and resources for completing the module:
Computer, CD-ROM, and e-library
To access this module, exams and other relevant material
To access other suggested reference materials
For interactive discussions/chat sessions
Recommended textbooks and reference materials
To assist learning and further understanding of topics in the module
V. Module Rationale
Industrial chemistry deals with commercial production of chemicals and related
products from natural raw materials and their derivatives. It enables humanity to
experience the benefts of chemistry when we apply it in the exploitation of materials
and energy. When we apply chemistry in the transformation of materials and energy
to make useable products, this results in growth and improvement in areas such as
food production, health and hygiene, shelter and clothing. The economic growth of
industrialized countries relies on the manufacturing industry for fnished products. The
goal of studying industrial chemistry at university is to try and bridge the gap between
classical chemistry and chemistry is applied in industry. The chemical industry is
highly globalized and produces thousands of chemicals from a wide variety of raw
materials by means of varied technologies for varied end uses. It is therefore important
to base the study of industrial chemistry on an understanding of the structure of the
industry and the unit operations and unit processes that make up the chemical pro-
cesses. On the basis of natural raw materials sources and the chemistry involved, we
fnd it easier to study industrial inorganic and industrial organic chemistry separately,
Through the electrolysis of brine, we obtain chlorine and sodium hydroxide both of
which are important reactants in organic synthesis of products such as petrochemicals
and detergents respectively. By fxing nitrogen, we obtain ammonia, from which
we can make fertilizers. From sulphur, we get sulphuric acid, which we use, in the
manufacture of phosphate fertilizers. Mineral ores as well as being raw materials for
basic chemicals are the source of pure metals, which we use elsewhere in building
and construction, manufacture of equipment, machines and jewellery. Turning now
to organic chemical industry, we use petroleum as the source of petrochemicals and
synthetic polymers. Fermentation enables us to convert natural organic materials into
chemicals, some like penicillin being pharmaceutical ingredients. From natural oils
and fats, we obtain soaps and detergents.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 5
VI. Content
6.1 Overview
This module starts by defning industrial chemistry and then gives a view of the
chemical industry, its position in the general economy, and its classifcation in terms
of the chemical processes that characterize it. To enable the study of selected chemi-
cal processes, unit operations and unit processes, especially those that are relevant
in later learning actvities, are then covered in Unit 2. With this background, it will
be easy to study industrial inorganic and organic chemical industries. The study of
extractive metallurgy in Unit 3 draws on the knowledge of size reduction and sepa-
ration unit operations learnt earlier, as well as chemical conversions that take place
during pyroprocessing. The extractive metallugy of iron, copper and aluminium is
included. In Unit 4, we focus our attention on some basic inorganic industrial proces-
ses that synthesize products from a variety of raw materials derived from the natural
environment. They include manufacture of chlorine and sodium hydroxide from
brine, ammonia from methane and nitrogen, sulphuric acid from sulphur, fertilizer
and cement from mineral ores. The study of organic industrial chemistry then starts
with petroleum refning followed by the manufacture of selected petrochemicals
and polymers. The module closes with the study of ethanol, pharmaceuticals, soaps
and detergents. These are high value-added products, some of which are produced
through the fermentation route.
6.2 Outline
Unit 1: Introduction to Industrial Chemistry (15 hours)
Introduction to industrial chemistry
Classifcation of the chemical industry
Raw materials for the chemical industry
Unit operations and unit processes that make up chemical processes
Flow diagrams
Material and energy balances
Unit 2: Unit operations and unit processes (20 Hours)
Size reduction and size enlargement
Magnetic and electrostatic separation
Froth fotation
Fractional distillation
Unit processes
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 6
Unit 3: Inorganic Industrial Chemical Industries Part I: Extractive
metallurgy (10 Hours)
Mineral ores
Ore dressing
Extractive metallurgy of iron
Extractive metallurgy of aluminium
Extractive metallurgy of copper
Unit 4 : Inorganic Chemical industries Part II: Chlor-alkali, Ammonia,
Sulphuric Acid, Fertilizer, Cement (25 hours)
Sodium hydroxide and Chlorine
Sulphuric acid
Unit 5: Organic Chemical IndustriesI : Petroleum, Petrochemicals and
Polymers (25 hours)
Petroleum processing
Unit 6: Organic Chemical Industries II Fermentation, Ethanol,
Pharmaceuticals, Soaps and Detergents (25 hours)
Soaps and detergents
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 7
6.3 Graphic Organizer


Introduction to
chemistry and
Unit operations
and unit
sulphuric acid,
and polymers
soaps and
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 8
VII. General objective(s)
At the end of this module you should be able to:
i. Classify the chemical industry in terms of products, raw materials, scale and
types of transformations.
ii. Describe the operation principles of selected unit operations and unit proces-
iii. Describe metal extraction in general and the extractive metallurgy of iron,
aluminium and copper in particular.
iv. Discuss with the help of relevant fow diagrams, equations, operating condi-
tions and equipment principles, the manufacture of chlorine, sodium hydroxide,
ammonia, sulphuric acid, fertilizer and cement.
v. Explain using fow diagrams and equations, how crude oil is refned, and how
some petrochemicals and polymers are synthesized.
vi. Discuss fermentation theory and its application in ethanol manufacture, the
production of some pharmaceuticals, soaps and detergents.
VIII. specifc learning objectives
(Instructional objectives)
Unit 1: Introduction to Industrial Chemistry and the Chemical Industry
a. Distinguish between classical and industrial chemistry
b. Classify the chemical industry in terms of scale, raw materials, end use and
value addition
c. Distinguish between unit operations and unit processes
d. Describe chemical processes by means of fow diagrams
e. Carry out material balances for a simple process
Unit 2: Unit Operations and Unit Processes
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
a. List the various reasons for undertaking size reduction and enlargement in the
chemical industry
b. Describe the operation principles of some size reduction equipment and size
enlargement equipment
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 9
c. Explain how industrial materials can be separated on the basis of their ma-
gnetic, electrostatic, hydrophobic and volatility differences respectively
d. Discuss various organic unit processes including polymerization, alkylation,
hydrolysis and their application in the chemical industry.
Unit 3: Inorganic Chemical Industries Part I: Extractive Metallurgy
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
a. Describe the various stages mineral ores go through in a typical mineral ore
dressing process.
b. Write equations to describe calcination and roasting
c. Explain what happens during smelting
d. Describe the extractive metallurgy of iron
e. Describe the extractive metallurgy of aluminium
f. Describe the extractive metallurgy of copper
Unit 4: Inorganic chemical Industries Part II: Chlor-alkali, Ammonia,
Sulphuric Acid, Fertilizer, Cement
At the end of this unit you should be able to
a. Describe using equations and diagrams, the electrolytic process for the
production of sodium hydroxide and chlorine using mercury, diaphram and
membrane cells
b. Explain how ammonia is manufactured from methane and air by the Haber
c. Describe the Contact process for the manufacture of sulphuric acid
d. Discuss the various types of fertlizers and the manufacture of phosphate
e. Describe using diagrams, equations and unit operations, for the manufacture
of Portland cement.
Unit 5: Organic Chemical Industries Part I: Petroleum, Petrochemicals and
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
a. Discuss the occurrence and extraction of petroleum
b. Explain the purposes and application of fractional distillation, catalytic crac-
king and catalytic reforming during petroleum processing
c. Describe using equations and fow diagrams, the manufacture of some petro-
chemicals, namely, phthalic anhydride and adipic acid
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '0
d. Categorize plymerization reactions, polymers and polymer products
e. Describe the uses of various plastics
f. Explain how polyethylene and styrene butadiene rubber are manufactured
Unit 6: Organic Chemical Industries Part II: Fermentation, Ethanol,
Pharmaceuticals , Soaps and Detergents
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
a. Discuss factors that affect the viability of the fermentation route and those
that affect fermentation yield
b. Describe the process of manufacuring fermentation ethanol
c. Give a brief history of the pharmaceutical industry and the role played by
d. Describe production process of two pharmaceuticals: penicilin and aspirin
e. Outline the soap manufacturing process
f. Discuss the various types of surfactants
g. Explain how detergents are manufactured

/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''
IX. Pre-assessment
Title of Preassessment: Industrail Chemistry Pre-assessment Test
9.1 Rationale
The purpose of this test is to assess your current chemistry knowledge that is a pre-
requisite for successful learning of this module. To do this test, you will require:
1. A calculator
2. A list of the elements with symbols, atomic numbers and atomic masses
3. Conversion tables for scientifc units
1. Covert the following:
a) 140
F to
b) 2 atm to kPa
c) 50 kcal to kJ
d) 0.3 kmoles sodium carbonate to Kg sodium carbonate
2. Calculate the % nitrogen in each of the following nitrogen fertilizers.
a) Ammonium nitrate
b) Ammonia
c) Diammonium phosphate
3. Which are the oxidizing agents in the redox reactions given below?
a) 4Fe + 3O

b) Cl
+ 2NaBr

2NaCl + Br
c) H
+ Cl

4. 0.103g sample of NH
required 12.8ml of 0.101M NaOH for neutralization.
What is the percent purity of the sample?
5. Write equations to show how quicklime (CaO) and slaked lime (Ca(OH)
made starting with limestone.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '2
6. Al
is an amphoteric oxide. Explain what this means.
7. (a) Calculate the heat evolved in kJ per g ZnS from the following equation:
+ 3O

+ 2SO
= -879kJ
(b) Calculate the molarity of 35.4% mass/volume aqueous solution of phosphoric
acid (H
8. Explain how the presence of a catalyst aids the progress of the following reac-
A + B

C + D
9. (a) Write the equilibrium constant expression for the following reaction:

(g) + Cl
(b) What is the equilibrium constant for the reaction in (a) if equilibrium concen-
trations in a 12 litre vessel are 0.21 moles PCl
, 0.32 moles PCl
, and 0.32
moles Cl
10. (a) Calculate the molar mass of the polyethylene molecule (CH
- where

n = 10,000.
(b) How many litres of air (assuming 78% N
, 22% O
by volume) are needed for
the complete combustion of 1.0 litre of octane C
whose density is 0.70g/ml.
Assume density of air is 1.29g/l.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J
9.2. Answer key
Question Answer Marks
209 kJ
4. 99.59 3
5. CaCO
CaO + H
O Ca(OH)
6. It has both acidic and basic
9. The cat al yst l ower s t he
activation energy, which is the
minimum energy required to
initiate a chemical reaction
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '4
X. Key Concepts
Alkylation is the introduction of an alkyl radical by substitution or addition into an
organic compound.
harmful microorganisms.
Catalytic cracking is the breaking up of complex hydrocarbons into simpler mol-
ecules in order to increase the quality and quantity of lighter, more desirable
products and decrease the amount of residuals.
Catalytic reforming is a process used to convert low-octane naphthas into high-
octane compounds such as toluene, benzene, xylene, and other aromatics which
are useful in gasoline blending and petrochemical processing.
Emulsion polymerization is a free radical polymerization that take place in an
emulsion consisting of water, monomer, surfactant and other additives.
Fermentation is a reaction wherein a raw material is converted into a product by the
action of micro-organisms or by means of enzymes.
Fertilizers are chemical compounds given to plants to promote growth
Industrial chemistry as the branch of chemistry which applies physical and chemi-
cal procedures towards the transformation of natural raw materials and their
derivatives to products that are of beneft to humanity.
Material balance is the application of the law of conservation of mass in the
form of equations to satisfy balances of total masses, components and atomic
species through a process.
effect the concentration of valuable minerals and to render the enriched material
into the most suitable physical condition for subsequent operations.
Plastic is a material that contains as an essential ingredient, an organic substance of
a large molecular weight, is solid in its fnished state, and, at some stage in its
manufacture or in its processing into fnished articles, can be shaped by fow.
Surfactant is a compound consisting of a long, linear, non-polar (hydrophobic) tail
with a polar (hydrophilic) head which lowers the surface tension of water and
allows oil to form an emulsion with water
Unit operations are the physical treatment steps employed in chemical processes to
transform raw materials and products into required forms.
Unit processes are the chemical transformations or conversions that are performed
in a process.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '5
XI. Compulsory Readings
Reading # 1
Complete reference: Chemical industry: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abstract: The chemical industry comprises the companies that produce industrial
chemicals. It is central to modern world economy, converting raw materials (oil, na-
tural gas, air, water, metals, minerals) into very many different products. In this site
chemical products are categorized and can be searched by Product name, Product
Category, Technology etc. Related links and references are also given.
Rationale: Unit I of this module deals with general classifcation and composition
of the chemical industry. Visits to this site will enable you to see how wide is the
feld of chemical manufacturing.
Reading # 2
Complete reference: Emulsion polymerization: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/ Emulsion_polymerization
Abstract: This site gives the history, theory, manufacturing process and various in-
gredients (monomers, co-monomers, initiators, surfactants, non-surfactant stabilizers,
other ingredients) and applications of emulsion polymerization. Information on various
polymers produced by emulsion polymerization can be accessed from this site.
Rationale: Emulsion polymerization theory is studied in Unit 2 and applied in Unit
5 of the manufacture of two polymers. This site will expose you to much more in-
formation on polymerization.
Reading # 3
Complete reference: Extractive metallurgy: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abstract: This site gives defnitions and brief discussions on the basic technologies
used in metal extraction. These include mineral processing pyrometallurgy and hydro-
metallurgy. Extractive metallurgy of various metals can be accessed from this site.
Rationale: The site and its links give a good overview of extractive metallurgy. It
supplements information given in Unit 3 on extractive metallurgy of copper, alumi-
nium and iron.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '6
Reading # 4
Complete reference: Fertilizer: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Description: Here you will fnd the history of the fertilizer industry, information on
macronutrients and micronutrients, nitrogen fertilizers and organic fertilizers. Links
to related topics are given.
Rationale: This reading will supplement what is provided in this module under the
subject of fertilizer.
XII. Compulsory Resources
Complete reference: CD accompanying this module.
PDF fles:
chlor-alkali and aluminium electrolysis.pdf
haber ammonia synthesis.pdf
ammonia next step.pdf
nitric acid and adipic acid.pdf
10J polyethylene.pdf
antibiotics production.pdf
soaps and detergents.pdf
Abstract: The above fles provide reading materials, which help you as supplementary
resource materials for this module.
Rationale: These resource materials give detailed explanations on theory, manufactu-
ring processes and other information on some of the products covered in this module.
These products include aluminium, ammonia, cement, adipic acid, polyethylene,
styrene butadiene rubber, antibiotics, soaps and detergents.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '7
XIII. Useful links
Useful Link # 1
Title: Process Flow Diagrams
URL: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Process_fow_diagrams
Description: This website exclusively deals with process fow diagrams, other tech-
nical diagrams and photographs of industrial equipment and plants.
Rationale: The site can increase your understanding and appreciation of how process
descriptions are presented in the form of diagrams.
Useful Link 2
Title: How Products are made
URL: www.madehow.com
Description: This site gives explanations and details of manufacturing processes
for a wide variety of products including some chemicals. The site provides step by
step descriptions of the manufacturing process complemented with illustrations and
diagrams. Each product also has related information such as background and history,
how the item works, raw materials that are used, product applications, by-products
generated, possible future developments, quality control procedures, etc. There are
seven volumes in which information is arranged.
Rationale: You will fnd useful information on aspirin in Volume1, acrylic plastics,
polyester, gasoline and soap in Volume 2, antibiotics in Volume 4 and aluminium in
Volume 5. This information is relevant to various sections of this module.
Useful Link # 3
Title: Mine Engineer
URL: http://www.mine-engineer.com/
Description: Mine Engineer.Com has information on mining, minerals, coal, mineral
Other related topics are included.
Rationale: In this website information to supplement what is presented in
the module will be found on topics such as copper, aluminium, cement, phos-
phate ore processing, unit operations involving size reduction and separation.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '8
Useful Link # 4
Title: Electrochemistry
URL: http://electrochem.cwru.ed/encycl
Description: This site gives useful information on industrial application of electro-
Rationale: One article from this website covers the history, Bayer, Hall-Heroult and
alternative processes for aluminium production.
Useful Link # 5
Title: Cheresources
URL: http://www.cheresources.com
Description: Cheresources.com has been providing content and tools to chemical
engineers all over the world. The site has many free chemical engineering resources
as well as premium content and software for visitors to choose from. Some of the
free articles are targeted for students.
Rationale: This is a useful link to search for detailed information on chemical process
technology for such products as ammonia, sulphuric acid and others covered in this
module. Some of the articles are from refereed journals.
Useful Link # 6
Title: The Contact Process
URL: http://uk.encarta.msn.com/media_761566936/Sulphuric_Acid.html
Description: This page describes the Contact Process for the manufacture of sul-
phuric acid
Rationale: The article explain the reasons for the conditions used in the process. It
looks at the effect of proportions, temperature, pressure and catalyst on the compo-
sition of the equilibrium mixture, the rate of the reaction and the economics of the
Useful link # 7
Title: Chemical Intelligence
URL: http://www.icis.com/chemical/intelligence.aspx
Description: Chemical Intelligence is a directory of chemicals providing information
on the chemicals covered by ICIS. Chemicals A-Z page leads to information you
may require on any chemical.
Rationale: The bulk industrial chemicals category includes those chemicals and
materials produced in the chemical industry in large quantities. The site also captures
the main petrochemical intermediates which are produced from the primary olefns
and aromatics building blocks which are further processed into monomers, detergents,
adhesives, solvents, plasticizers, lubricants and polymers.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '9
Useful link # 8
Title: Set laboratories
URL: http://www.setlaboratoies.com
Description: This site has a wealth of information on petroleum refning.
Rationale: Topics covered in this site include the history of petroleum refning, crude
oil extraction and composition, refning processes with fow diagrams and detailed
descriptions. You will fnd this site useful as you study Unit 5.
Useful link # 9
Title: Access Excellence
URL: http:/www.accessexcellence.org
Description: This site is a resource centre mainly for life sciences including bio-
technology. One of the sites, Biotech Applied looks at the practical applications of
biotechnology and strategies for introducing biotechnology into the classroom. It also
gives one opportunity to interact and collaborate with scientists, teachers and others
to explore the cutting edge of science.
Rationale: One particular site:
(http://www.accessexcellence.org/LC/SS/ferm_biography.html), deals with fermen-
Useful Link # 10
Title: Soap and Detergent Association
URL: http://www.cleaning101.com/cleaning/chemistry/soapchem2.com
Description: This site is for Soap and Detergent Association who represent manu-
facturers of household, industrial and institutional cleaning products; producers and
suppliers of associated raw materials and fnished packaging.
Rationale: One of the article in this website is on the manufacturing processes for
soaps and detergents. It includes the history of soap, soap making, chemistry, ingredi-
ents and manufacturing processes. The explanations which are in laymans language
are supplemented with interesting graphic illustrations. This will greatly aid you in
the study of this topic in Unit 6.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 20
XIV. learning activities

Activity 1
Introduction To Industrial Chemistry And The Chemical Industry
At the end of this learning activity, you should be able to:
a. Distinguish between classical and industrial chemistry
value addition
c. Distinguish between unit operations and unit processes
d. Describe chemical processes by means of fow diagrams
e. Carry out material balances for a simple process
Summary of the learning activity
This learning activity introduces you to industrial chemistry and the chemical indus-
try and enables you to study subsequent units more easily. It includes the following
topics: Introduction to industrial chemistry, classifcation of the chemical industry,
raw materials for the chemical industry, unit operations and unit processes, fow
diagrams, material and energy balances. The various readings given supplement the
material presented in this module. At the end of the unit, there are exercises you are
required to do to test your understanding of the unit.
List of relevant readings
1. Chang R. (1991). Chemistry, 4
Edition, McGraw-Hill Inc. New York.
2. Chang R. and Tikkanen W. (1988). The Top Fifty Industrial Chemicals.
3. Price R.F. and Regester M.M. (2000), WEFA Industrial Monitor, 2000-2001,
John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York.
List of relevant resources
Computer with internet facility to access links and relevant copywrite free
CD-Rom accompanying this module for compulsory reading and demonstra-
Multimedia resources like video,VCD,and CD players
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 2'
List of relevant useful links
The frst website exclusively deals with process fow diagrams, other technical
diagrams and photographs of industrial equipment and plants. The site can increase
your understanding and appreciation on how process descriptions are presented in
the form of diagrams.
The second website enables you to see how chemicals are categorized for trade and
technical purposes.
1.1. The difference between classical and industrial chemistry
Before we defne industrial chemistry, it may be helpful to know that the develop-
produced in much more than the laboratory scale, arose. Chemistry knowledge was
applied to furnish the rapidly expanding chemical industries with recipes which
we now call chemical processes. Industrial chemistry keeps up with the progress in
science and technology. It incorporates other emerging disciplines such as biotech-
nology, microelectronics, pharmacology and material science. The discipline is also
concerned with economics and the need to protect the environment.
We defne industrial chemistry as the branch of chemistry which applies physical
and chemical procedures towards the transformation of natural raw materials and
their derivatives to products that are of beneft to humanity.
Classical chemistry (organic, inorganic and physical chemistry) is very essential for
advancing the science of chemistry by discovering and reporting new products, rou-
tes and techniques. On the other hand industrial chemistry helps us to close the gap
between classical chemistry as it is taught in colleges and universities, and chemistry as
it is practiced commercially. The scope of industrial chemistry therefore includes:
The exploitation of materials and energy in appropriate scale
Application of science and technology to enable humanity experience the
benefts of chemistry in areas such as food production, health and hygiene,
shelter, protection, decoration, recreation and entertainment.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 22
1.2. Classification of Industries
Industry is a general term that refers to all economic activities that deal with production
of goods and services. Goods and services are key words when you talk of industry.
We then expect industry to include the following sectors:
Building and construction
1.2.1. Classification of the Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry is the area of focus in the study of this module. Manu-
facturing produces manufactured goods. This makes it distinct from other sectors like
agriculture which also produce goods. In manufacturing, materials are transformed
into other more valuable materials.
We defne manufacturing industry as follows:
Manufacturing industry is a compartment of industry or economy which is
concerned with the production or making of goods out of raw materials by means
of a system of organized labour.
Manufacturing industry can be classifed into two major categories namely, heavy
and light industry.
Capital-intensive industries are classifed as heavy while labour intensive
industries are classifed as light industries.
Light industries are easier to relocate than heavy industries and require less
capital investment to build.
Using the above classifcation criteria, examples of heavy industries include those
that produce industrial machinery, vehicles and basic chemicals.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 2J
Other measures used to classify industries include the weight or volume of products
handled and weight per cost of production. For example the weight of steel produced
per dollar is more than the weight per dollar of a drug. In this case, steel industry is
a heavy industry whereas drug manufacture is a light industry.
Sometimes governments defne heavy industry in terms of its impact on the environ-
ment. Many pollution control laws target heavy industries which in most cases pollute
more than light industries. Therefore, pulp and paper industry is a heavy industry
since its contribution to pollution is enormous.
Both inorganic and organic chemical industry can be either heavy or light industry.
For example the pharmaceutical industry which is basically organic is light industry.
Petroleum refning is organic but heavy industry. Iron and steel industry is inorganic
and heavy industry.
1.2.2. Manufacturing sub-sectors
Because the raw materials and the actual products manufactured are so varied,
different skills and technologies are needed in manufacturing. Manufacturing is
therefore divided into sub-sectors which typically deal with category of goods such
as the following:
Food, beverages and tobacco
Textiles, wearing apparel, leather goods
Paper products, printing and publishing
Chemical, petroleum, rubber and plastic products
Non-metallic mineral products other than petroleum products
Basic metal products, machines and equipment.
Let us now focus on the chemical, petroleum, rubber and plastic products sub-
sector. We shall generally call it the chemical industry.
1.3. The Chemical Industry
The chemical industry can also be classifed according to the type of main raw ma-
terials used and/or type of principal products made. We therefore have industrial
inorganic chemical industries and industrial organic chemical industries. In-
dustrial inorganic chemical Industries extract inorganic chemical substances, make
composites of the same and also synthesize inorganic chemicals.
Heavy industrial organic chemical industries produce petroleum fuels, polymers,
petrochemicals and other synthetic materials, mostly from petroleum.
Light organic industries produce specialty chemicals which include pharmaceuticals,
dyes, pigments and paints, pesticides, soaps and detergents, cosmetic products and
miscellaneous products.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 24
1.3.1. The Structure of the Global Chemical Industry
We normally put a value to something according to how much it has cost us. Some
things are of high value while others are of low value. For low valued products, you
need to produce them in large volumes to make signifcant proft. This means that the
raw materials are cheap and easily accessible. There is also an existing, relatively
simple, and easily accessible processing technology. To sell a large volume of prod-
uct, there must be a large market. This brings stiff competition which also makes the
price to remain low.
We are now ready to describe the structure of the global chemical industry Commodity Chemicals
The global chemical industry is founded on basic inorganic chemicals (BIC) and
basic organic chemicals (BOC) and their intermediates. Because they are produced
directly from natural resources or immediate derivatives of natural resources, they
are produced in large quantities.
In the top ten BIC, almost all the time, sulphuric acid, nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia,
lime, sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid and chlorine dominate. The reason sulph-
uric acid is always number one is because it is used in the manufacture of fertilizers,
polymers, drugs, paints, detergents and paper. It is also used in petroleum refning,
metallurgy and in many other processes. The top ranking of oxygen is to do with its
use in the steel industry.
Ethylene and propylene are usually among the top ten BOC. They are used in the
production of many organic chemicals including polymers.
BIC and BOC are referred to as commodity or industrial chemicals.
Commodity chemicals are therefore defned as low-valued products produced in
large quantities mostly in continuous processes. They are of technical or general
purpose grade. Specialty Chemicals
High-value adding involves the production of small quantities of chemical products
for specifc end uses. Such products are called specialty chemicals.
These are high value-added products produced in low volumes and sold on the basis
of a specifc function.
In this category are the so-called performance chemicals which are high value
products produced in low volumes and used in extremely low quantities. They are
judged by performance and effciency. Enzymes and dyes are performance chemicals.
Other examples of specialty chemicals include medicinal chemicals, agrochemi-
cals, pigments, favour and fragrances, personal care products, surfactants and
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 25
Specialty chemicals are mainly used in the form of formulations. Purity is of vital
importance in their formulation. This calls for organic synthesis of highly valued
pure chemicals known as fne chemicals Fine Chemicals
At times you will fnd that the raw materials for your product need to be very pure
for the product to function as desired. Research chemicals are in this category as also
are pharmaceutical ingredients. Such purifed or refned chemicals are called fne
chemicals. By defnition they are high value-added pure organic chemical substances
produced in relatively low volumes and sold on the basis of exact specifcations of
purity rather than functional characteristics.
The global market share for each type is roughly as follows:
Commodities 80%
Specialties 18%
Fine 2%
1.4. Raw material for the Chemical Industry
We have paid some attention to products from the chemical industry. But, since there
would be no chemical industry without raw materials, the subject of raw materials
is due for discussion at this stage.
All chemicals are derived from raw materials available in nature. The price of che-
micals depends on the availability of their raw materials. Major chemical industries
have therefore developed around the most plentiful raw materials
The natural environment is the source of raw materials for the chemical industry.
Raw materials from the atmosphere
The atmosphere is the feld above ground level. It is the source of air from which six
industrial gases namely N
, O
, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe are manufactured. The mass of
the earths atmosphere is approximately 5x 10
tons and therefore the supply of the
gases is virtually unlimited.
Raw materials from the hydrosphere
Ocean water which amounts to about 1.5x 10
litres contains about 3.5 percent by
mass dissolved material. Seawater is a good source of sodium chloride, magnesium
and bromine.
Raw materials from the lithosphere
The vast majority of elements are obtained from the earths crust in the form of mi-
neral ores, carbon and hydrocarbons. Coal, natural gas and crude petroleum besides
being energy sources are also converted to thousands of chemicals.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 26
Raw materials from the biosphere
Vegetation and animals contribute raw materials to the so-called agro-based industries.
Oils, fats, waxes, resins, sugar, natural fbres and leather are examples of thousands
of natural products.
1.4. Chemical Processes
Every industrial process is designed to produce a desired product from a variety of
starting raw materials using energy through a succession of treatment steps integrated
in a rational fashion. The treatments steps are either physical or chemical in nature.

Energy is an input to or output in chemical processes.
The layout of a chemical process indicates areas where:
raw materials are pre-treated
conversion takes place
separation of products from by-products is carried out
refning/purifcation of products takes place
entry and exit points of services such as cooling water and steam
1.4.1. Units that make up a chemical process
A chemical process consists of a combination of chemical reactions such as synthesis,
calcination, ion exchange, electrolysis, oxidation, hydration and operations based on
physical phenomena such as evaporation, crystallization, distillation and extraction
A chemical process is therefore any single processing unit or a combination of pro-
cessing units used for the conversion of raw materials through any combination of
chemical and physical treatment changes into fnished products.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 27 Unit processes
Unit processes are the chemical transformations or conversions that are performed
in a process.
In Table 1.1, examples of some unit processes are given.
Table 1.1 Examples of unit processes
Acylation Calcinations Dehydrogenation Hydrolysis
Alcoholysis Carboxylation Decomposition Ion Exchange
Alkylation Causitization Electrolysis Isomerization
Amination Combustion Esterifcation Neutralization
Ammonolysis Condensation Fermentation Oxidation
Aromatization Dehydration Hydrogenation Pyrolysis Unit Operations
There are many types of chemical processes that make up the global chemical industry.
However, each may be broken down into a series of steps called unit operations.
These are the physical treatment steps, which are required to:
put the raw materials in a form in which they can be reacted chemically
put the product in a form which is suitable for the market
In Table1.2, some common unit operations are given.
Table 1.2 Examples of unit operations
Agitation Dispersion Heat transfer
Atomization Distillation Humidifcation
Centrifuging Evaporation Mixing
Classifcation Filtration Pumping
Crushing Flotation Settling
Decanting Gas absorption Size reduction
It is the arrangement or sequencing of various unit operations coupled with unit
processes and together with material inputs, which give each process its individual
character. The individual operations have common techniques and are based on the
same scientifc principles. For example, in many processes, solids and fuids must
be moved; heat or other forms of energy may be transferred from one substance to
another; drying, size reduction, distillation and evaporation are performed.
By studying systematically these unit operations, which cut across industry and
process lines, the treatment of all processes is unifed and simplifed.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 28
1.5. Flow Diagrams
A picture says more than a thousand words
Some chemical processes are quite simple; others such as oil refneries and petroche-
mical plants can be very complex. The process description of some processes could
take a lot of text and time to read and still not yield 100% comprehension. Errors
resulting from misunderstanding processes can be extremely costly.
To simplify process description, fow diagrams also known as fow sheets are used. A
fow diagram is a road map of the process, which gives a great deal of information
in a small space. Chemical engineers use it to show the sequence of equipment and
unit operations in the overall process to simplify the visualization of the manufacturing
procedures and to indicate the quantities of material and energy transferred.
A fow diagram is not a scale drawing but it:
pictorially identifes the chemical process steps in their proper/logical se-
includes suffcient details in order that a proper mechanical interpretation may
be made
Two types of fow diagrams are in common use, namely, the block diagrams and the
process fow diagrams.
1.5.1. Block Diagrams
This is a schematic diagram, which shows:
what is to be done rather than how it is to be done. Details of unit operations/
processes are not given
fow by means of lines and arrows
unit operations and processes by fgures such as rectangles and circles
raw materials, intermediate and fnal products
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 29
Fig. 1.1 is an example of a block diagram.
Fig 1.1 A block diagram for a sulphuric acid plant
1.5.2. Process flow diagram / flow sheet
Chemical plants are built from process fow drawings or fow sheets drawn by che-
mical engineers to communicate concepts and designs. Communication is impaired
if the reader is not given clear and unmistakable picture of the design. Time is also
wasted as reader questions or puzzles out the fow diagram. The reader may make
serious mistakes based on erroneous interpretation of the fow diagram.
Communication is improved if accepted symbols are used. The advantages of correct
use of symbols include:
the function being performed is emphasized by eliminating distractions caused
by detail
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J0
possibility of error that is likely to occur when detail is repeated many times is
virtually done away with
equipment symbols should neither dominate the drawing nor be too small for
clear understanding.
Flow sheet symbols are pictorial quick-to-draw, easy-to-understand symbols that
transcend language barriers.
Some have already been accepted as national standards while others are symbols
commonly used in chemical process industries, which have been proven to be effec-
tive. Engineers are constantly devising their own symbols where standards do not
exist. Therefore, symbols and presentation may vary from one designer or company
to another.
Below is a cement process fow diagram illustrating the use of equipment symbols.
Fig 1.2 A process fow diagram for the manufacture of cement.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J'
1.6. Material Balances
From the law of conservation of mass, we know that mass can neither be created
nor destroyed. However, in nuclear reactions, mass and energy can be converted
into each other respectively. Because of this, we can write equations called mass
balances or material balances. Any process being studied must satisfy balances
on the total amount of material, on each chemical component, and on individual
atomic species.
As we have seen in the study of process diagrams, a process can have few or many
streams depending on its complexity.
1.6.1. The purpose of mass balance calculations
Mass balance calculations serve the following purposes:
1. They help us know the amount and composition of each stream in the pro-
2. The calculations obtained in 1 form the basis for energy balances through the
application of the law of conservation of energy.
3. We are able to make technical and economic evaluation of the process and
process units from the knowledge of material and energy consumption and
product yield obtained.
4. We can quantitatively know the environmental emissions of the process.
In mass balance calculations, we begin with two assumptions
There is no transfer of mass to energy
Mass is conserved for each element or compound on either molar or weight
It is important to note the following:
Mass and atoms are conserved
Moles are conserved only when there is no reaction
Volume is not conserved.
You may write balances on total mass, total moles, mass of a compound, moles of
an atomic species, moles of a compound, mass of a species, etc.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J2
1.6.2. Material Balance Equations
We might be tempted to think that in a process,
In practice, some material may accumulate in the process or in some particular pro-
cess units. For example, in a batch process, some material may remain adhered to
the walls of containers. In the dehydration of ethane to ethylene, possible chemical
reactions are as follows:
6 (g)

6 (g)



The carbon formed accumulates in the reactor.
Because processes may be batch with no infow and outfow or continuous with
infow and outfow, and that there may be conversion of chemical species, a good
mass balance equation takes care of all these aspects. The following is a general mass
balance equation.
Accumulation within the system
= Flow In through the system boundaries
- Flow Out through the system boundaries
+ generation within the system
- Consumption within the system
Simply put:
Accumulation =Flow in Flow out + Production Consumption
The system is any process or portion of a process chosen for analysis. A system is
said to be open if material fows across the system boundary during the interval of
time being studied; closed if there are no fows in or out.
Accumulation is usually the rate of change of holdup of material within the system.
If material is increasing, accumulation is positive; if it is decreasing, it is negative.
If the system does not change with time, it is said to be at steady state, and the net
accumulation will be zero.
The generation and consumption of material are the consequences of chemical reac-
tions. If there is no chemical reaction, the production and consumption terms are
typically zero.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry JJ
1.6.3. Mass balance calculation procedure
The general procedure for carrying out mass balance calculations is as follows:
1. Make a block diagram (fow sheet) over the process
2. Put numbers on all the streams
3. List down all the components that participate in the process.
4. Find the components that are in each stream and list them adjacent to the
stream in the block diagram
5. Decide on an appropriate basis for the calculations e.g. 100kg raw material
A, 100kg/hr A, 1 ton of product, 100 moles reactant B etc.
6. Find out the total number of independent relations. This is equivalent to the
total number of stream components.
7. Put up different relations between stream components and independent rela-
tions to calculate concentrations
8. Tabulate results.
1.6.4. Example
Three raw materials are mixed in a tank to make a fnal product in the ratio of 1:0.4:1.5
respectively. The frst raw material contain A and B with 50% A. The second raw ma-
terial contain C while the third raw material contain A and C with 75% A. Assuming
a continuous process at steady state, fnd the fow and composition of the product.

2. Put numbers on all the streams
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J4
The components are A, B and C.
4. Find the components that are in each stream and list them adjacent to the stream
in the block diagram.
Let W represent composition by weight.

, W
, W
, W
5. Decide on an appropriate basis for the calculations.
Let us use as basis 100 kg/hr of the frst raw material
6. Find out the total number of independent relations. This is equivalent to the total
number of stream components.
The total number of independent relations= the total number of stream components
Stream components are W
, W
, W
, W
, W
, W
Therefore total number of independent relations=8
7. Put up different relations between stream components and independent relations
to calculate concentrations
We need at least 8 independent mathematical relations to enable us solve the problem.
These are:
Basis: Stream F
is 100kg
The ratio of the three raw materials
is 50%
is 100%
is 25%
Material balance for A
Material balance for B
Material balance for C
We have the required number of independent relations and we can proceed to do the
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J5
We start with the general balance equation:
Accumulation = Flow in Flow out + Production Consumption
For a mixing reaction, production and consumption are zero. Therefore:
Accumulation = (F
+ F
+ F
) F
where the fow rates are in kg per hour.
Because the system is at steady state, accumulation is zero, and:
= F
+ F
+ F
From the ratio of input fows, F
= 0.4X(100/1) = 40kg
= 1.5X(100/1) =150kg
Therefore F
= 100 + 40 + 150
= 290kg
The next step is to fnd the quantities of A, B and C in F
. To do this, we shall write
the mass balance equation for each of these three components assuming no accumu-
lation. For A:
= Flow in
Flow out
+ Production
= 0 = (F
+ F
+ F
) F
0 = 100(0.5) + 40(0) + 150(0.75) 290W
= 162.5 290W

= 162.5/290
= 0.56
Similar balances are done for B and C:
= 0 = (F
+ F
+ F
) F
0 = 100(0.5) + 40(0) + 150(0) 290W
= 50 290W

= 50/290
= 0.17
= 0 = (F
+ F
+ F
) F
0 = 100(0) + 40(1) + 150(0.25) 290W
= 77.5 290W

= 77.5/290
= 0.27
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J6
It is always good to check answers for consistency. We do this by summing the
weight fractions:
+ W
= 0.56 + 0.17 + 0.27 = 1.0
This proves that the solution is right.
8. Tabulate results.
Stream Components Kg/hr Kg % %
1 A
50 100
50 100
2 C 40 100 100 100
3 A
37.5 150
25 100
4 A
77.5 290
27 100
Formative Evaluation
1. Distinguish between industrial and classical chemistry
2. What factors are used to classify an industry as heavy or light?
3. Defne specialty chemicals
4. Explain how the lithosphere is an important source of natural raw materials
for the chemical industry
5. What is the difference between unit operations and unit processes?
6. What information would you expect to fnd in a block diagram for a chemical
7. Discuss the use of symbols in process fow diagrams
8. What assumptions are made at the initial stages of carrying out material ba-
lance for a chemical process?
9. Write the general mass balance equation
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J7
10. Producer gas has the following composition by volume:
% Density, kg/m
CO 28.0 1.2501
3.5 1.9768
0.5 1.4289
68.0 1.2507
The gas is burned with oxygen according to the following equation:
2CO + O

The oxygen is from the air whose volumetric composition is assumed to be 80% N

and 20% O
. The oxygen fed from the air and the producer gas is 20% in excess of
the amount required for complete combustion. The combustion is 98% complete.
Carry out total material balance for this process based on 100kg of gas burned.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J8
Activity 2
Unit Operations And Unit Processes
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
chemical industry
enlargement equipment
gnetic, electrostatic, hydrophobic and volatility differences respectively
d. Discuss various organic unit processes including polymerization, alkylation,
and hydrolysis and their application in the production of organic chemicals
Summary of the Learning Activity
In Learning Activity 1 we learnt that chemical processes can be broken down into
unit operations and unit processes. Unit operations involve physical transformations
while unit processes consist of chemical conversions. In this unit, we want to study
the purposes and operating principles of common unit operations and unit proces-
ses, especially those we shall encounter later in the study of industrial inorganic and
organic chemical processes. The Learning Activity includes: Size reduction and
size enlargement, magnetic and electrostatic separation, froth fotation, fractional
distillation, other unit operations, polymeriazation, alkylation, hydrolysis and other
uni processes.
List of relevant readings
1. Shukla S. D and Pandey G. N, (1978). A Textbook of Chemical Technology.
Vol.1 (Inorganic/Organic). Vikas publishing House PVT Ltd. New Delhi.
2. Gerhartz, W. (Editor), (1987). Ullmanns Encyclopaedia of Industrial Che-
mistry, 5
Edition, VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim.
3. Clearing House for Inventories and Emissions, U.S.A. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, Organic Process Industry AP. 42, Vol. 1, 5
4. Groggins P.H. (1958). Unit Processes in Organic Synthesis, 5
McGraw-Hill Book Company, New Delhi.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry J9
List of relevant useful links
This link has useful information on various unit operations used in the chemical
industry. Photographs and other illustrations are given.
2.1. Unit Operations
In Unit 1, we defned unit operations as physical transformations. They are very many
and include size reduction, size enlargement and separation of mixtures. In this unit,
we shall look at operation principles of equipment in these unit operations and their
application in the chemical industry.
2.1.1. Size Reduction
Size reduction refers to all the ways in which particles are cut or broken into smal-
ler pieces. The objective is to produce small particles from big ones for any of the
following reasons:
1. To reduce chunks of raw materials to workable sizes e.g. crushing of mineral
2. To increase the reactivity of materials by increasing the surface area.
3. To release valuable substances so that they can be separated from unwanted
4. To reduce the bulk of fbrous materials for easier handling.
5. To meet standard specifcations on size and shape.
6. To increase particles in number for the purpose of selling.
7. To improve blending effciency of formulations, composites e.g. insecticides,
dyes, paints Principles of size reduction
Most size reduction machines are based on mechanical compression or impact.
When a solid is held between two planes and pressure is applied on one plane, the
solid is fractured and breaks into fragments when pressure is removed. The fragments
formed are of different sizes. An example of an industrial equipment that is based
on compression is a jaw crusher. Impact is the breaking up of material when it is hit
by an object moving at high speed. The product contain coarse and fne particles. A
ball mill is based on impact.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 40 Jaw Crusher
Fig.2.1 is a schematic diagram of a jaw crusher.
Fig 2.1 Jaw crusher
A jaw crusher consists of a vertical fxed jaw and another swinging jaw that moves
in the horizontal plane. In the diagram above, the jaws are coloured red. The two
jaws make 20-30
angle between them. The swinging jaw closes about 250 to 400
times/min. Feed is admitted between the jaws. It is crushed several times between
the jaws before it is discharged at the bottom opening.
A jaw crusher produces a coarse product. Ball Mill
A ball mill is a tumbling mill generally used for previously crushed materials. It is
generally used to grind material 6mm and fner, down to a particle size of 20 to 75
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 4'
Fig. 2.2 Ball mill
The operation of a ball mill is illustrated in Fig 2.2. The mill consists of a cylinder
containing a mixture of large and small steel grinding balls and the feed. When the
cylinder is rotated, the rotation causes the balls to fall back into the cylinder and onto
the rotation. If the speed of the mill is too great, it begins to act like a centrifuge and
the balls do not fall back, but stay on the perimeter of the mill. The point where the
mill becomes a centrifuge is called the critical speed. Ball mills usually operate at
65% to 75% of the critical speed.
A ball mill is suitable for dry- or wet- milling of various material in cement, fertili-
zer, metallurgical industries and other industries. Fig 2.3 is a ball mill installed in a
cement factory.
Fig 2.3 Photograph of a ball mill in a Cement Plant.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 42
2.1.2. Size Enlargement (Agglomeration)
Size enlargement, also referred to as agglomeration, is carried out when particles
are too small for use in a later stage of the process. For example in metal extraction,
some particles may be too fne to be fed into a blast furnace. Purposes of size enlargement
The following are some of the purposes of size enlargement in various industries:
1. Reduce dusting losses
2. Reduce handling hazards particularly with respect to irritating and obnoxious
3. Render particles free fowing.
4. Densify materials.
5. Prevent caking and lump formation
6. Provide defnite quantity of units suitable for metering, dispensing and admi-
7. Produce useful structural forms
8. Create uniform blends of solids which do not segregate
9. Improve appearance of products
10. Permit control over properties of fnely divided solids e.g. solubility, porosity,
surface volume ratio, heat transfer
11. Separate multicomponent particle size mixtures by selective wetting and
12. Remove particles from liquids
In size enlargement, small particles are gathered into larger, relatively permanent
masses in which the original particles can still be identifed. The products of size
enlargement are either regular shapes e.g. bricks, tiles, tablets, pellets or irregular
shapes such as sintered ore.
Agglomerators are used to increase the particle size of powders. There are two basic
types of agglomerators; compaction and non-compaction agglomerators. The com-
paction type uses mechanical pressure (and often very high pressures) to press the
powders together. For these, binders are sometimes not needed to make the particle.
Pellet mills are compaction agglomerators. Pellet mills
Moist feed in plastic state is passed through a die containing holes. The die is sup-
plied with power to rotate around a freely rotating roller. The friction of material in
the die holes supplies resistance necessary for compaction. A knife cuts the exudates
into pellets. This is shown in Fig. 2. 4. Bonding agents such as glue or starch may
be mixed with the feed.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 4J
Pellet quality and capacity depends on:
Feed properties e.g. moisture
Lubricating characteristics
Particle size
Die characteristics and speed
Fig 2.4 The pellet mill
A picture of a pellet mill converting wood planings and sawdust into fuel pellets is
shown in Fig 2.5. These raw materials are compressed under high pressure into small,
cylindrical rolls. Pellets gain their frmness solely from the pressing process without
addition of any chemical or synthetic adhesive agent.

Fig. 2.5 Photograph of a pelletizer in operation that converts planings into fuel pellets.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 44 Tumbling agglomerators
The common action of most non-compaction agglomerators is to keep the powders
in motion by tumbling, vibrating or shaking, while spraying a correct amount of
liquid binder. The binder is specially selected to hold the smaller particles together,
creating a larger particle. After the particles stick together to form a nucleus or germ,
then follows the layering or deposition of layers of the raw materials into previously
formed nucleus. This requires high recycle ratio whose increase leads to larger and
denser agglomerates of high wet strength. It also requires low moisture content in
spite of the fact that increase in liquid content leads to increase in agglomerate size.
The layering process is shown in Fig. 2.6
Fig. 2.6 Illustration of the powder layering process.
The formed agglomerates are subject to the following forces:
a) Destructive forces within the feed as particles impact on each other during
the rolling action
b) Cohesive forces holding pellets together
Optimum agglomeration is obtained when correct tumbling and cascading motion
occurs in the charge. Motion is caused by centrifugal forces. The devices may be
operated at an angle.
Two types of tumbling agglomerators are used: inclined pan agglomerator and a
drum agglomerator. Inclined pan agglomerator
This is shown in Fig 2.7. It consists of pan rotating at an incline. It is fed with the
powdery raw material. Material layers over a nucleus particle to form balls. Enlarged
balls roll off the pan. Fine materials silts down through the large balls and remain
in the pan.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 45
Fig 2.7 Inclined pan agglomerator
The following are the advantages of an inclined pan:
1) Uniform product without need for a screen
2) Low equipment cost which is simple to control
3) Easy observation of the balling action
However, an inclined pan has one disadvantage: it produces dust. Drum agglomerator
Fig 2.8 is an illustration of the operation of a drum agglomerator.
Fig 2.8 Cross sectional view of an agglomerator
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 46
As the drum rotates clockwise, the bars (labeled Rod Cage) lift the fner powders
and create a falling-curtain of the smaller and dry particles. The liquid binder is
sprayed (Spray Droplets) onto this curtain, which preferentially agglomerate only
the small particles lifted by the Rod Cage.
A drum agglomerator has the following advantages over a pan agglomerator:
1) Large capacity
2) Large retention time if required
3) Less sensitivity to upsets in the system due to the dumping effect of large
recirculating load
The drum agglomerator has one disadvantage. Because particles of various sizes
are produced, a screen is required to separate enlarged particles from the smaller
2.1.3. Separation Of Materials
In this section, we will learn how differences in the physical properties of materials
are used to separate mixtures in the chemical industries. Magnetic Separation
If a mixture containing magnetic materials and non-magnetic materials is subjected to
a magnetic feld, there is competition for the particles between several forces namely,
magnetic, inertia, gravitational and interparticle forces.
Three products can be obtained during magnetic separation. These are:
A strongly magnetic product
A weakly magnetic (middlings) product
A non-magnetic (tailings) product
Separation is carried out either dry using belt lifting magnets or wet using drum
magnetic separators. This technology is applied in mineral ore processing, as we
shall see in Unit 4.
The method used for dry particles is illustrated schematically in Fig 2.9.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 47
Fig 2.9 Illustration of the principle of dry magnetic separation
Material to be separated is fed into the frst conveyor. Above this conveyor is another
conveyor with an electromagnet inside. The electromagnetic feld decreases towards
the right. Strongly and weakly magnetic materials are attracted and picked by the
magnet. The non-magnetic materials continue to be conveyed by the bottom conveyor
and drop in the frst bin. As the strength of the electromagnet weakens towards the
right, the middlings i.e. the weakly magnetic materials lose attachment and drop in
the middle bin. The strongly magnetic materials drop off at the end of the electro-
magnet into the third bin. Froth Flotation
This is a process in solids-liquids separation technology that uses differences in
wettability of various materials such as mineral ores. Although these materials are
generally hydrophilic, the surface properties of components they contain may vary
within a very narrow range. These small differences can be amplifed by selective
adsorption that makes some of the particles hydrophobic. Such hydrophobic particles
in a water suspension are foated by attaching them to air bubbles.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 48 Making particles hydrophobic and foatable
A special surface-active agent (surfactant) called collector or promoter is added to
the suspension. Collectors are usually C
to C
compounds containing polar groups.
They include fatty acids, fatty acid amines and sulphonates among others. Collector
selection depends on the material being separated. The collector molecule adsorbs
on to the solid surface via the polar (charged) group. This reaction is known as che-
misorption. The hydrocarbon chain is facing the aqueous phase. This is shown in
Fig 2.10 how a collector renders a particle hydrophobic
A layer probably, a monolayer of the collector molecules become attached to the
surface of the particle. Because the hydrocarbon chain and the water do not mix,
the coated particle surface becomes hydrophobic. By being hydrophobic, a particle
repels water. This results in the weakening of the forces acting between the particle
surface and water and hence the diminishing of surface-water interactions at solid-
surface interface. This causes the displacement of water flm from the wetted solid
surface by air. In addition to the use of collectors to change the surface property of
the particles, other chemicals may be added to further modify either the particles to
be foated, or the particles that are to remain in the suspension. Such chemical subs-
tances are called modifers. Flotation cell
The fotation cell is shown in Fig. 2.11. The material is ground in water to a maximum
250m. It is introduced into the fotation cell. A frothing agent is added to create a
generous supply of fne bubbles when air is sparged. Examples of frothers include
pine oil and methyl amyl alcohol. The collector and other additives are added. Hydro-
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 49
phobic particles are collected at the air-bubble interface. The bubbles with attached
mineral particles rise to the surface where the material is removed. Particles that are
readily wetted by water (hydrophilic) tend to remain in the water suspension.
Fig 2.11 a fotation cell Fractional Distillation
Distillation is used to separate a mixture of miscible liquids which have different
volatilities. Suppose a mixture with low concentration of the more volatile component
is distilled and the vapour condensed. The condensate which we refer to as distillate
will be more concentrated with this component than the feed. If we return the distillate
to the distillation apparatus and distill it to a second distillate, this distillate will be
more richer in the more volatile component than the frst distillate. If we continue
this process, we will approach a pure distillate of the more volatile component. The
greater the relative volatility between the two components, the fewer the needed
distillation stages. This is the concept of fractional distillation.
It is used when:
Boiling points of mixture components are close
Volatilities of the components are close
This is the case in petroleum refning.
Industrially, fractional distillation is carried out in distillation columns also known
as distillation towers. They are like many distillation stills stack together vertically.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 50
The fractionation columns can be batch or continuous and they can be many in series.
Fig. 2.13 is a picture of an industrial distlillation plant
Fig 2.13 An industrial fractionating plant
For distillation to take place in a distillation column, both vapour and liquid fowing
up and down respectively must be brought into intimate contact. This is done by
packing the column with inert solids, or installing plates at regular intervals throu-
ghout the column height. Small distillation columns are normally packed while large
distillation columns are plated.
In plated columns, we need to provide for both vapour path and liquid paths at each
plate. The plates are perforated and the vapour passes through the perforations. The
liquid fows through pipes known as downcomers next to the colum wall.
In Fig 2.13, the components of a continuous distillation column are shown.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 5'
Fig 2.13 A continuous distillation column Rectifcation and stripping in a distillation column
Let us look at what happens inside a distillation column when it is running. Suppose
there are two components A and B being separated with A being more volatile than
B. Component A leaves at the top. At each distillation plate, the liquid mixture is at
boiling point. The boiling point of A, T
is low compared to T
the boiling point of
B coming out at the bottom. We can therefore conclude that the inside of the column
becomes colder upwards.
Vapour is generated at the reboiler and it rises up from the bottom of the column.
At each distillation stage or plate, a relatively hotter vapour contacts a cooler liquid
coming down the column. Some of the vapour condenses and the resulting conden-
sate has more of the less volatile component B, thus resulting in a vapour rcher in A.
Simultaneously, some of the liquid picks the latent heat generated by the condensing
vapour and vapourizes. The vapourized portion contain more of the more volatile
component A and therefore, the liquid leaving the plate is depleted of A and enriched
with B. This process is repeated up the column. After the topmost vapour is condensed
at the condenser, some of the distillate is returned to the column at the top plate. The
returned liquid is called refux. Enriching the vapour with the more volatile component
above the feed location is known as rectifcation. The removal or depletion of this
component from the liquid below the feed location is known as stripping.
2.1.3. Other Unit Operations
There are many unit operations that are employed in the chemical industry. It is
impossible to cover all of them in this unit. In Table 2.1 a summary of some other
unit operations is given.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 52
Table 2.1 Other unit operations
Unit Operation Purpose Application
Electrostatic separation Separation of solids on the
basis of the difference in
electrical conductivity of
Mineral ore dressing
Sedimentation Separation of solids from
liquids mostly by gravita-
tional forces
Water treatment plants
Crystallization Separation of solid parti-
cles from their saturated
Sugar manufacture
Solidliquid extraction
or leaching
Extraction of a soluble
solid from its mixture with
an inert solid, by use of
liquid solvent in which it
is soluble.
Mineral ore processing
Spray drying A liquid containing a
dissolved solid is sprayed
and contacted with hot air
which evaporates the sol-
vent yielding a powdered
Production of pig-
ments, detergent
powder, powdered
milk, synthetic resins
and inorganic salts
Liquid liquid or sol-
vent extration
Separation of a liquid sol-
ute from its mixture with
another inert liquid by
means of another liquid in
which it is soluble
Solvent recovery,
removal of naphthenic
and aromatic com-
pounds from lubrica-
ting oil
Absorption Removal of a component
from a gas mixture by dis-
solving it in a liquid
removal of hydrogen
sulphide (H
S) from
hydrocarbon gases
using alkaline solu-
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 5J
2.2. Unit Processes
In Unit 1, we defned unit processes as chemical transformations or conversions. Unit
processes are the core of industrial synthetic chemistry and are dominant in organic
processes. We will look at some of the unit processes that we are likely to encounter
in subsequent learning activities.
2.2.1. Polymerisation
The term polymer comes from two Greek words: polys which means many and
meros which means parts. A polymer is therefore a substance having hundreds
or thousands of many smal identical parts known as monomers, which are bonded
together covalently in a chemical process known as polymerization. Polymerization reactions
For polymerisation to yield polymers with long chain (high polymers), the monomers
Be polyfunctional i.e. contain at least two reactive groups
Not give cyclic products by intramolecular ring closure because this will
terminate polymerisation.
Polymerization reactions fall into two general classes:
1. Addition or chain polymerization involving successive stages of reaction initia-
tion, propagation and termination. Examples of addition polymers include
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene.
2. Condensation or step-reaction polymerization. This involves condensation
reaction between two polyfunctional molecules, sometimes with the elimina-
tion of a small molecule such as water. Nylon is a condensation polymer of
hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid as shown in the equation below:

O + -(NH-(CH
If one of the reactants in a step-reaction polymerization contain more than two func-
tional groups, a cross-linked polymer is obtained. Free radical polymerization
One of the most common and useful reactions for making polymers is free radical
polymerization include polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl acetate and
branched polyethylene
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 54
Initiation: The whole process starts off with a molecule called an initiator. This is
a molecule like benzoyl peroxide or 2,2-azo-bis-isobutyrylnitrile (AIBN). The spe-
cial characteristic of these molecules is that they have an ability to split in unusual
way. When they split, the pair of electrons in the bond, which is broken, separates to
produce two initiator fragments, each of which has one unpaired electron. Molecules
like this, with unpaired electrons are called free radicals
electrons, which is very easily attacked by the free radical. When this happens, a
new chemical bond is formed between the initiator fragment and one of the double
associates itself with the carbon atom, which is not bonded to the initiator fragment.
This whole process, the breakdown of the initiator molecule to form radicals, fol-
lowed by the radicals reaction with a monomer molecule is called the initiation step
of the polymerization.
Propagation: This new radical reacts with another ethylene molecule in the exact
same way as the initiator fragment did. A free radical is formed when this reaction
takes place over and over again and the chain grows. The adding of more and more
monomer molecules to the growing chain is called propagation.
molecules, and build a long chain. Self-perpetuating reactions like this are called
chain reactions.
Termination: Termination is the third and fnal step of a chain-growth polymeriza-
tion. Free radicals are unstable, and eventually they fnd a way to become paired
without generating a new radical. Then the chain reaction will grind to a halt. This
happens in several ways. The simplest way is for two growing chain ends to fnd
bond joining their respective chains. This is called coupling. Coupling is one of two
main types of termination reaction. Another way in which the unpaired electrons can
shut down polymerization is called disproportionation. In disproportionation, the
unpaired electron of one chain fnds an electron in the carbon-hydrogen bond of the
next carbon atom forming a double bond at the end of the polymer chain.
Sometimes, the unpaired electron at the end of a growing chain pairs with an electron
starts a new chain growing out of the middle of the main chain. This is called chain
with polyethylene, so much that linear non-branched polyethylene cannot be made
by free radical polymerization.
Polymerisation products are numerous with many uses and include phenolic resins,
alkyl resins, polyamides, polyesters, elastic foams, silicon polymers, isocyanate po-
lymers, epoxy resins, adhesives, coatings, polyethylene, vinyl polymers and acrylic
polymers (for paint industry) to mention but a few.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 55 Emulsion polymerization
Emulsion polymerization is a type of free radical polymerization that usually starts
with an emulsion consisting of water, monomer and surfactant. The most common
monomer (the oil) are emulsifed (with surfactants) in a continuous water phase. Wa-
ter-soluble polymers, such as certain polyvinyl alcohols or hydroxyethyl celluloses,
can also be used to act as emulsifers/stabilizers. Emulsion polymerization is used
to manufacture several commercially important polymers. Many of these polymers
polymerization. In other cases, the dispersion itself is the end product. A dispersion
resulting from emulsion polymerization is often called a latex (especially if derived
from a synthetic rubber) or an emulsion (even though emulsion strictly speaking
refers to a dispersion of a liquid in water). These emulsions fnd applications in ad-
hesives, paints, paper and textile coatings. Because they are not solvent-based, they
are eco-friendly.
Advantages of emulsion polymerization include:
High molecular weight polymers can be made at fast polymerization rates
The continuous water phase is an excellent conductor of heat and allows
increase their rate.
Since polymer molecules are contained within the particles, viscosity remains
close to that of water and is not dependent on molecular weight
The fnal product can be used as is and does not generally need to be altered
or processed.
Disadvantages of emulsion polymerization include:
Surfactants and other polymerization adjuvants remain in the polymer or are
diffcult to remove
Emulsion polymerizations are usually designed to operate at high conversion of
monomer to polymer. This can result in signifcant chain transfer to polymer
The Smith-Ewart-Harkins theory for the mechanism of free-radical emulsion poly-
merization is summarized by the following steps:
A monomer is dispersed or emulsifed in a solution of surfactant and water
forming relatively large droplets of monomer in water.
Excess surfactant creates micelles in the water.
Small amounts of monomer diffuse through the water to the micelle.
A water-soluble initiator is introduced into the water phase where it reacts
with monomer in the micelles. This is considered Smith-Ewart Interval 1.
The total surface area of the micelles is much greater than the total surface
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 56
area of the fewer, larger monomer droplets; therefore the initiator typically
reacts in the micelle and not the monomer droplet.
Monomer in the micelle quickly polymerizes and the growing chain termi-
nates. At this point the monomer-swollen micelle has turned into a polymer
particle. When both monomer droplets and polymer particles are present in
the system, this is considered Smith-Ewart Interval 2.
More monomer from the droplets diffuses to the growing particle, where more
initiators will eventually react.
Eventually the free monomer droplets disappear and all remaining monomer
is located in the particles. This is considered Smith-Ewart Interval 3.
Depending on the particular product and monomer, additional monomer and
initiator may be continuously and slowly added to maintain their levels in the
system as the particles grow.
The fnal product is a dispersion of polymer particles in water. It can also
be known as a polymer colloid, a latex, or commonly and inaccurately as an
Emulsion polymerizations have been used in batch, semi-batch, and continuous pro-
cesses. The choice depends on the properties desired in the fnal polymer or dispersion
and on the economics of the product.
2.2.2. Alkylation
organic compound. For example, the combining of an olefn to a hydrocarbon is an
alkylation reaction. In the presence of an acid catalyst such as hydrogen fuoride or
sulphuric acid, this reaction is used for the conversion of gaseous hydrocarbons to
gasoline. The processes are usually exothermic and similar to polymerisation. Another
example is the formation of 2,2-Dimethylbutane from ethylene and isobutane:
Alkylation reactions include the binding of an alkyl group to:
1) Carbon (to make products such as gasoline alkylates, ethylbenzene etc)
2) Oxygen of a hydroxyl group of an alcohol or phenol (ethers, alkaloids)
3) Trivalent nitrogen (amines)
4) A tertiary nitrogen compound (quaternary ammonium compounds)
5) Metals
6) Miscellaneous elements such as sulphur or silicon
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 57
In 6), the alkyl is in the form of alkyl halide or ester.
Apart from gasoline, other classes of products from alkylation reactions include
pharmaceuticals, detergents, disinfectants, dyes and plastics.
Alkylates of active methylenes are easily prepared using a base such as ethoxide,
Methyl and primary halides are most suitable for alkylation reactions. In principle
both of the hydrogens can be replaced with alkyl groups:
This can be utilized to form a cyclic system by using a dihalide as shown below:
2.2.3. Hydrolysis
In the hydrolysis of either organic or inorganic compounds, water and another com-
pound undergo double decomposition to form two products. The hydrogen from the
water goes to one product while the hydroxyl goes to the other product as illustrated
in the following equation:
If XY were an inorganic compound, this would be the reverse of neutralization. But
in organic chemistry, hydrolysis has a wider scope, which includes:
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 58
Inversion of sugar
Breaking down of proteins
Saponifcation of fats and oils
These reactions can be carried out with water alone. However, there are agents that
accelerate or catalyse the hydrolysis. These include:
Enzymes Hydrolysis of esters
This hydrolysis is referred to as saponifcation. A good example is the saponifcation
of fats and oils to glycerol and either soap or fatty acids. Ester hydrolysis is reversible
and is catalysed by both the oxonium ion (H
), and hydroxyl ion (OH
). That is,
it can be either acid or alkali catalysed. Addition of acid speeds up reaction without
shifting the equilibrium signifcantly. On the other hand, alkali addition accelerates
reaction and shifts the reaction to the right so that it goes to completion.
In Unit 6, we shall study the application of ester hydrolysis in soap making.
2.2.4. Other Unit Processes
In table 2.2, you will fnd other unit processes with their defnition and industrial
Table 2.2. Other unit processes with their industrial applications.
Unit process Brief description Industrial applications
Sulphonation A chemical process that in-
volves introduction of sul-
phonic acid group (SO
or its corresponding salt or
sulphonyl halide (=SO
into an organic molecule.
The sulphonating agents
include sulphuric acid
(98%), sulphur trioxide in
water (oleum) and fuming
sulphuric acid.
Intermediates in manufacture of
phenol, xylene, dodecyl benzene
sulphonic acid detergent, polystyrene,
naphthalene derivatives and aliphatic
sulphonated compounds.
Esterifcation A chemical process in
which an ester and water
are formed when an organic
radical is substituted for in
a molecule by an ionisable
hydrogen of an acid.
Production of synthetic fbres like po-
lyethylene terephthalate, manufacture
of alkyl resins and polyvinyl acetate,
preparation of terpene and cellulose
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 59
Hydrogenation A chemical reaction of
molecular hydrogen with
another substance in the
presence of a catalyst.
Manufacture ammonia (see details in
learning activity two), manufacture of
liquid fuels, hydrogenated vegetable
fats, hydrogenation of carbohydrates
to propylene, glycol and sorbitol and
many others.
and iodination)
Involves addition of one or
more halogen atoms to an
organic compound
Chlorinated compounds are used
in the chlorohydrocarbons such as
chloroform, ethylene chlorohydrin
(freon), DDT, carbon tetrachloride,
olefnic acids, acid chlorides, etc.
This is the introduction of
one or more nitro groups
) into an organic com-
pound. Monovalent atoms
or groups of atoms are
replaced by the nitro group
Industrial solvents, dyestuffs, explo-
sives, pharmaceuticals and as inter-
mediates in the production of amines
Formative Evaluation
1. List down the various purposes for size reduction.
2. Explain how a ball mill works.
3. What are the factors that determine the quality of pellets?
4. Describe how agglomerates are made by the layering process
5. Describe how a magnetic separator works
6. How does a fotation cell operate?
7. How is a vapour enriched with the more volatile component as it moves up a
distillation column?
8. Briefy discuss the Smith-Ewart-Harkins theory for free radical emulsion
9. List down the various types of alkylation reactions
10. Write short notes including industrial applications of the following
i) alkylation
(ii) hydrolysis
(iii) sulphonation
(iv) nitration
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 60
Activity 3
Inorganic Chemical Industries Part 1: Extractive Metallurgy
Unit Objectives
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
a. Describe the various stages mineral ores go through in a typical ore dressing
b. Write equations to describe calcination and roasting
c. Explain what happens during smelting
d. Describe the extractive metallurgy of iron
e. Describe the extractive metallurgy of copper
f. Describe the extractive metallurgy of aluminium
Summary of Unit
In this unit, we shall study how metals are extracted from mineral ores in which they
exist with other materials of less value. Generally, ores are frst taken through size
reduction, sorting and agglomeration to transform them into a form that can be taken
through extraction processes including calcining, roasting, smelting and refning. Ex-
tractive metallurgy of iron, aluminium and copper respectively are then presented.
List of relevant readings
Das R.K. (1988) Industrial Chemistry: Metallurgy, Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.
List of relevant resources
Computer with internet facility to access links and relevant copywrite free
CD-Rom accompanying this module for compulsory reading and demonstra-
Multimedia resources like video,VCD,and CD players
List of relevant useful links
The frst site has useful informationon on various unit operations used in the chemical
industry. Photographs and other illustrations are given. The second site has informa-
tion on aluminium production.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 6'
3.1. Mineral ores
An ore is a mineral deposit which can be proftably exploited. It may contain three
groups of minerals namely:
a) valuable minerals of the metal which is being sought
b) compounds of associated metals which may be of secondary value
c) gangue minerals of minimum value.
Almost all metals are derived from mineral ores. There are also ores that contain
non-metals such as sulphur. Generally, the valuable mineral in an ore may be found
in the form of native metal, oxides, oxy-salts, sulphides or arsenides.
During mining, large open pits are excavated by breaking the ore using explosives.
Ores as mined may be in large lumps and therefore, some size reduction is done at
the mine. The ore is shoveled into trucks and transported to the factory. If the mineral
ore is found in waterbeds, mining is carried out by dredging. For example, sand is
dredged from river beds.
3.2. Ore dressing
Before the ores are subjected to the main chemical treatment steps, they are pre-trea-
ted by a series of relatively cheap processes, mainly physical rather than chemical in
nature. These processes constitute what is known as ore dressing. They are meant to
effect the concentration of the valuable minerals and to render the enriched material
into the most suitable physical condition for subsequent operations. Ore dressing
may include:
Size Reduction to such a size as will release or expose all valuable mine-
Sorting to separate particles of ore minerals from gangue (non-valuable)
minerals or different ores from one another
Agglomeration may be carried out sometimes before a roasting operation
If the ores are rich in the valuable mineral, above processes may not add value. Such
ores can be ground, sized and blended with other ores in order to provide a homoge-
neous feed to say, a blast furnace or reaction bed.
3.2.1. Size Reduction
Size reduction may be carried out by frst crushing the ore down to 7mm maximum
followed by grinding to smaller sizes. Jaw crushers can be used deep in the mine to
prepare the ore for transportation to the surface e.g. using bucket elevators.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 62
3.2.2. Sizing
Screens are used to separate particles according to size and may not affect the concen-
trations of the ore minerals. Particles are separated into oversize and undersize.
3.2.3. Sorting
The particles may be sorted by classifcation, fotation or magnetic methods.
These are devices that separate particles according to their different rates of travel
under gravity through a fuid medium such as water. Particles of different densities,
sizes and shapes have different falling velocities. Classifers include rake classifers
and jigs.
3.2.4. Flotation
Flotation uses difference in surface properties of the individual minerals. It is readily
applied to very fne concentrates and can distinguish ore mineral from gangue, and
also, one ore mineral from another.
3.2.5. Magnetic Separation
Ferromagnetic magnetite or iron minerals which can be chemically altered to produce
magnetite may be sorted out using a magnetic separator as described in Unit 2.
3.2.6. Electrostatic Separation
Minerals have a wide range of electrical conductivity and can be distinguished by this
property. If several kinds of particles are given an electrostatic charge and are then
brought into contact with an electrical conductor at earth potential, the charge will
leak away from good conductors much more rapidly than from poor conductors. While
the charge remains, the particle will cling to the conductor by electrostatic attraction.
The weakly conducting minerals will therefore remain attached to the conductor
longer than the good conductors, so affording a means of separating minerals whose
conductivities differ appreciably. Electrostatic separators operate on thin layers of
material. The principle is illustrated in Fig. 3.1.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 6J
Fig 3.1 Electrostatic separation
3.2.7. Dewatering and filtration
After sorting and leaching, it is necessary to separate the solid and liquid phases.
Coarse solids may be freed from most of their moisture by draining. Slurries with
particles which can settle may be separated from the bulk of the liquid by settling and
subsequent decantation. These dewatering methods may reduce moisture content to
50%. The moisture content may be reduced further by fltration and drying. If the va-
luable ore is in the fltrate, it can be recovered by evaporation followed by drying.
3.2.8. Agglomeration
When a particle size of an ore or concentrate is too small for use in a later stage of
treatment e.g. in a blast furnace, it must be reformed into lumps of appropriate size
and strength. This is done by any of the following methods:
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 64
This is a mechanical process of agglomeration in which the materials, after mixing
with water and necessary bonding agents are pressed or extruded into brick or block
form. These blocks are then dried and hardened by heating. Use of hydraulic cement
allows hardening to be carried out cold. Briqueting is not popular in mineral ore
Sintering involves diffusion of material between particles. It is applied to the conso-
lidation of metallic and ceramic powder compacts which are heated to temperatures
approaching their melting points to allow diffusion to take place at the points of
contact of particles so that they grow together to form a rigid entity. The process
can be envisaged as a net migration of vacancies into the solid at the highly curved
energy surfaces near points of contact and again at low energy areas away from
contact points
Sintering may be accompanied by a chemical reaction.
3.3. Extraction Processes
So far we have been dealing with unit operations that prepare the ore for chemical
reactions used to extract the valuable metal from the ore. Now we want to look at
extraction and refning of the metal.

3.3.1. Calcination
This is the thermal treatment of an ore to effect its decomposition and the elimination
of a volatile product, usually carbon dioxide or water. The following are calcinations
CaO + CO
T = 1000
MgO + CO
T = 417
MnO + CO
T = 377
FeO + CO
T = 400
Calcination may be carried out in rotating kilns using countercurrent fow for effcient
heat transfer.
3.3.2. Roasting
Roasting involves chemical changes other than decomposition, usually with furnace
atmosphere. A roast may effect calcinations and drying as shown below.
2CuS + O
S + SO
S + O
2Cu + SO
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 65
3.3.3. Smelting
This is essentially a smelting process in which the components of the charge in the
molten state separate into two or more layers which may be slag, matte, speiss or
matte: heavy sulphide material
slag: light oxide material
speiss: iron oxide, insoluble in matte, slag or metal; it may contain elements
Smelting of metal involves reduction, usually by carbon or coal or coke and may be
performed in a blast furnace or an electric furnace.
In the blast furnace, coke is burned into CO
which reacts further with the carbon to
form CO. The ascending gases pre-heat the solid charge descending the stack and
reduce metal oxides to metal. This then is a process of drying followed by calcination
and roasting. The metal melts and the slag forms gangue and fux.
Where fusion or reduction temperature is above 1500
C, electric melting is most
appropriately applied.
3.3.4. Refning
Electrolysis may be used for metal extraction and metal refning. In fre refning,
extracted metals are brought into liquid state and their composition fnally adjusted.
In some case, this may be simple smelting to allow cathodically entrained hydrogen
to escape by diffusion. In other cases, impurities may react to form compounds which
are insoluble in the molten state.
Converters are used for oxidizing impurities out of blast furnace iron in steel-making
and for oxidation of sulphur from copper and nickel matte. Distillation may also be
applied in metal purifcation.
3.4. Extractive Metallurgy Of Iron
3.4.1. Uses of iron
Iron is used in the forms shown below as material of construction for machines,
plants, buildings, locomotives, ships, automobiles, railway lines and for many other
things. All these forms are obtained from pig iron which is frst obtained from the
iron ore.
a. White cast iron obtained when molten low silicon, high manganese pig iron
is rapidly cooled.
b. Grey pig iron which contain very small amounts of carbon and other impurities
but 1.2-3% slag
c. Steel which contain from 0.08 to 0.8% carbon
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 66
d. Hard steel which contain 0.8 to 1.5% carbon
e. Alloy or special steels which besides carbon contain one or more metals such
as Ni, Cr, W, V, Mo, Mn.
3.4.2. Raw materials
The main raw materials for the manufacture of iron and steel are iron ore and limes-
tone or dolomite as fux. Coking coal is used as fuel. The fuel serves two purposes:
to heat the furnace and to produce CO which acts as the reducing agent. To make
special steels other materials such as nickel, chromium, cobalt are added.
Iron ore deposits are found in India, China, Brazil, Canada, Germany and United
States of America. The ores include red haematite (Fe
), the less inferior brown
hydrated haematite also known as limonite (2Fe
O), the magnetic magnetite
) which is black in colour and pyrites (FeS
). The haematite is easily reduced.
Magnetite contains about 72% pure metal and it is reduced with some diffculty.
3.4.3. Removal of impurities in iron ore
The presence of impurities in the iron ore not only reduce the iron content in the
ore but also increase production costs especially with regard to consumption of fux
and fuel.
If limonite is used, it is frst dried before use. When the ore contains large amounts
of impurities, appropriate ore dressing operations are carried out on it. When the ore
is obtained in small particles, it is sintered into lumps.
The main impurities in iron ore are silica and alumina. Silica and alumina in the
presence of limestone makes the ore self-fusing with less production costs. At high
temperatures of the blast furnace, the fux reacts with alumina and silica to form a
complex of calcium-magnesium aluminium silicate known as slag.
Sulphur and phosphorus are also found in iron ores as impurities in the form of
sulphides (FeS), sulphates (CaSO
) and phosphates (Ca
or Fe
). Both
sulphur and phosphorus, which can also come from the fuel used, are not desired
in iron and steel manufacture. Normally steel should not contain more than 0.05%
sulphur and 0.05% phosphorus. Sulphur can be removed in the blast furnace slag.
Phosphorus cannot be removed in the slag but passes through to the pig iron where it
is combined with steel in the convertor. As a result, the ores are sometimes classifed
as acid or basic ores according to the amount of phosphorus present. Acid ores contain
less than 0.05% phosphorus while basic ores has more than 0.05%.
A small amount of manganese is generally present in iron ores. Manganese is ad-
vantageous for steel production because it reduces the effect of sulphur by forming
manganese sulphide (MnS). Sometimes, if manganese is absent from the ores, it is
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 67
3.4.4. Fuel
Coke is the fuel used to melt the ore and also to reduce the iron ore to metallic iron.
Coke is produced at the bottom of the blast furnace by carbonization of coal i.e. bur-
ning of coal in the absence of oxygen to remove volatile matter. Good quality coke
has about 80% carbon and 20% ash. It is hard to prevent the formation of CO and its
high porosity provides large surface area for the chemical reactions. It is consumed
at the rate of one ton per ton of pig iron.
3.4.5. Manufacture of Pig Iron
Pig iron is a direct product of smelting iron ore with fuxes and fuel in a tall blast
furnace. The oxygen is introduced at the top of the furnace, blown or blasted through
bronze or copper nozzles over the furnace materials in a number of symmetrically
placed tubes, called tuyeres. The air blast is preheated to a temperature of about 700
and pressure of 2.5kg/cm
using the hot exhaust gases leaving the furnace at the top.
Preheating greatly increases the economy of steel production.
The molten iron and slag collect at the bottom of the furnace while the gases escape
from the top. The slag layer foats over the heavier iron and is periodically collected
as dross and stored as waste material that can be used for cement manufacture or for
making foor tiles
The pig iron is tapped and is either used to produce cast iron, stored in pigs of sand
bags or is taken for steel production. To make cast iron, the molten metal is poured
into moulds of desired size and shape. The metal gets cooled and solidifes taking
the desired shape.

Fig 3.2. Schematic diagram of a blast furnace showing the temperatures at relative heights.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 68
3.4.6. Reactions of the blast furnace
The temperature of the blast furnace progressively rises up from top to bottom. The
following reactions take place at different zones:
Iron ore reduction:
+ CO

+ 2 Fe
+ CO

3FeO + CO
3FeO + 3CO

3Fe + 3CO
Fuel reactions
C + O

+ C

Slag formation reactions

CaO + CO
CaO + SiO

2Fe + SiO

2FeO + Si
2Mn + SiO

MnO + Si
+ 2C

Mn + 2CO
FeS + CaO + C

CaS + Fe + CO
FeS + Mn

Fe + MnS
+ 3SiO
+ 5C

+ 2P + CO.
Most of the sulphur passes into the slag as CaS and MnS and only a small portion
remains in the metal as FeS and MnS.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 69
3.5. Extractive Metallurgy Of Aluminium
Aluminium is the most abundant metal in earth and is commercially extracted from
bauxite ores in which it occurs as hydrated aluminium oxide.
Extraction of aluminium from bauxite is carried out in three stages:
Ore dressing: cleaning ore by means of separation of the metal containing
mineral from the waste (gangue).
Chemical treatment of bauxite for converting the hydrated aluminium oxide
to pure aluminum oxide.
Reduction of aluminium from aluminium oxide by the electrolytic pro-
Ore dressing may involve washing the ore, size classifcation and leaching.
3.5.1. Chemical treatment of bauxite
At this stage bauxite is crushed and ground to the correct particle size for effcient
extraction of the alumina through digestion with hot sodium hydroxide solution which
dissolves the aluminium hydroxide, forming a solution of sodium aluminate.
2NaOH + Al

+ H
The residual impurities (oxides of silicon, iron, titanium and aluminium i.e. SiO
, Al
). These insoluble impurities are called red mud which together
with fne solid impurities, are separated from the sodium aluminate solution by
washing and thickening. The solution is then seeded with aluminium hydroxide from
a previous batch in precipitator tanks, where aluminium hydroxide precipitates from
the solution.

+ 4H

+ 2NaOH
The aluminium hydroxide after separation from the sodium hydroxide is converted
into pure aluminium oxide by heating to 1800F (1000C) in rotary kilns or fuidized
bed calciners.

+ 3H
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 70
3.5.2. Reduction of aluminum from aluminium oxide
Primary aluminium is produced by the electrolytic reduction of the aluminium oxide.
As aluminium oxide is a very poor electricity conductor, its electrolysis is carried
out in a bath of molten cryolite (mineral, containing sodium aluminium fuoride
) as shown in the schematic diagram below.
Fig 3.3 Electrolytic process for aluminium manufacture
This technology is called Hall-Heroult process. The electrolytic cell for aluminum
production consists of a pot with carbon lining The carbon lining is contained in a
steel shell with a thermal insulation of alumina or insulating brick.. This carbon lining
serves as the negative electrode (cathode). Prebaked carbon anodes are connected
and suspended from the current conductor (bus bar). The anodes are immersed into
the bath of molten cryolite at 915 to 950
C. The aluminum oxide is added to the
cathode through the cryolite, aluminium oxide decomposes to metallic aluminium
deposited at the cathode and oxygen is liberated at the anode. Oxygen from the alu-
mina dissolved in the bath combines with the bottom surface of the carbon anode to
form carbon dioxide.
Control of alumina concentration in the cells is accomplished by a slight underfeeding.
When the alumina reaches a critical level, the cell goes on anode effects caused by a
limiting rate of diffusion of alumina to the anode surfaces. The cell voltage then rises
and some fuorocarbons are generated. A light bulb connected across the cell lights up
with increased cell voltage as a signal for the operators to feed the cell with alumina
and kill the anode effect. Cells now run a day or longer between anode effects. The
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 7'
ratio of sodium fuoride to aluminium fuoride in the cryolite bath changes over time
and corrective additions are added based on laboratory analyses.
In operation, cryolite freezes on the sidewalls of the cells forming a ledge which
protects the sidelining from severe attack by aluminium and molten cryolite. Cryolite
also freezes over the top of the bath and forms a crust to support a top layer of
alumina thermal insulation. Alumina is fed to the bath through holes punched in the
crust. The carbon dioxide exits through holes in the crust and is collected under the
hoods. The carbon dioxide and air leaking in is now ducted to dry scrubbers which
remove fuorides from the gas stream. Fresh alumina contacting the gases removes
the hydrogen fuoride and evaporated fuoride particulate. This alumina, fed to the
cells, returns fuoride to the cells. The hydrogen fuoride comes from residual hy-
drocarbons in the anodes and trace water in the alumina and air humidity reacting
with the fuoride bath.
The anodes are consumed in the process through the reaction of carbon and oxygen.
Replacements are added at individual locations on a regular schedule. The anode
butts are sent back to the anode plant to be ground and mixed into new anode paste
to be pressed and baked.
The molten aluminium is periodically tapped under vacuum from the furnace into a
crucible and cast into ingots.
3.6. Extractive Metallurgy Of Copper
Copper is mostly extracted from ores containing copper sulphides, copper oxides
or copper carbonates. Copper ores are generally poor and contain between 1.5 and
5% copper. Therefore, commercial extraction of copper involves several dressing
operations before the smelting stage.
The extraction of copper from its sulphide ores is done by eliminating the gangue,
iron, sulphur and minor impurities by the following steps yielding the shown %
copper after each step:
% copper
Concentration 15-25
Roasting 30-45
Smelting -
Matte conversion 98
Fire refning 99.5
Electrolytic conversion 99.9
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 72
3.6.1. Concentrating
The purpose of concentration step is to separate the copper mineral from the gangue.
The ore is frst crushed and fnely ground. It is made into a slurry with water and then
fed into a froth fotation cell. The ore particles are lifted up by air bubbles while the
gangue remain in the cell. The froth containing the ore is thickened and fltered.The
pulp is dried to about 6% moisture.
3.6.2. Roasting
The objective of roasting is to remove excess sulphur. Thus, if the ore does not contain
excess sulphur, roasting may be omitted and the ore directly smelted. Roasting is
carried out in a multiple hearth furnace or in a fuidized bed.
The dry pulp is fed into the roaster at 600 to 700
C. The burning of the sulphide
ores supplies the heat to maintain the temperature at which roasting takes place. The
reactions at the roaster are as follows.
+ 9O

+ 6SO
+ 9O

+ 6SO

2FeS + S
S + O

2FeS + 3O

+ 2FeO
4FeO + O

The arsenic and antimony are volatiles and and leave with sulphur dioxide.
3.6.3. Matte smelting
At this stage the concentrate is smelted in a furnace to produce a mixture of copper
and iron, called matte.
Smelting is carried out at about 1350
C. The rasted ore is in powder form and cannot
therefore be smelted conveniently in a blast furnace. It is done in a long reverbera-
tory furnace heated by coal dust. The following are the reactions that take place in
the furnace:
2FeS + 3O
2FeO + 2SO
FeO + SiO

O + FeS

S + FeO
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 7J
CuO + FeS CuS + FeO

S + S
+ FeS

7FeO + SO
S and part of the FeS form the matte. The silicates and oxides of iron are slagged.
The gangue is absorbed by the slag and removed.
3.6.4. Blister copper production
The object of the converter operation is to convert matte into molten blister copper
containing 96 to 98% copper and remove the iron rich slag
The operation is carried out in two stages each of which has a distinctive fame
colour. In the frst stage, air is blown through the matte untill all the slag is formed
i.e. the total elimination of the FeS. Silica is used to react with the oxide. The slag is
removed by tilting the converter. Air is again blown through the matte and the Cu
is converted to Cu. The following are the reactions in the converter:
Slag formation stage: 2FeS + 3O

2FeO + 2SO
2FeO + 2SiO

Blister copper formation 2Cu
S + 3O

O + 2SO
O + Cu

6Cu + SO
3.6.5. Fire Refining
The blister copper is fed into a furnace where some of the Cu is oxidixed into Cu
which dissolves in the molten copper. The oxide rapidly oxidizes the impurities. SO
passes out while other impurities form dross on the surface. The dross is frequently
skimmed off to expose fresh surface for oxidation. A pole of green wood is then thrust
in and hydrogen from the wood reduces the excess oxygen. Poling is continued until
proper surface characteristics of the cooled samples are obtained. The product is called
tough pitch. It has good electrical conductivity. It is cast into slabs.
3.6.6. Electrolytic refining.
Tough pitch copper is not ft for gas-welding until it is deoxidized further. It is made
into impure copper anodes which are immersed in a 5 to 10% sulfuric acid bath conta-
ning copper sulphate. Pure copper foil serves as the cathode where copper deposits.
Cathodes produced as a result of the electrolytic refning process contain 99.9% of
copper which is used for manufacturing copper and copper alloys products.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 74
Formative Evaluation
1. What unit operations are generally carried out during mineral ore dressing?
2. Describe how an electrostatic separator works
3. Explain what sintering is.
4. Distinguish using equations, the difference between calcination and roas-
5. How are silica and alumina removed from iron ore?
6. Describe how pig iron is manufactured in a blast furnace.
7. Describe the process of extracting alumina from bauxite.
8. Draw a schematic diagram of a Hall-Heroult electrolytic cell for aluminium
manufacture and explain how it works.
9. With respect to extractive metallurgy of copper, write equations for reactions
that take place during
a. roasting
b. matte smelting.
10. Why is it necessary to fre and electrolytically refne copper?
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 75
Activity 4
Inorganic Chemical Industries Part Ii: Chlor-alkali, Ammonia,
Sulphuric Acid, Fertilizer And Cement
Unit objectives
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
a. Describe using equations and diagrams, the electrolytic production of sodium
hydroxide and chlorine using mercury, diaphram and membrane cells
c. Describe the Contact process for the manufacture of sulphuric acid
e. Describe using diagrams, equations and unit operations, the process for the
manufacture of Portland cement.
Summary of the learning activity
In this Unit, we will look at industrial manufacture of some of the common basic
chemicals. You will learn about the processes and the chemistry involved in the
manufacture of, sodium hydroxide and chlorine, ammonia, sulphuric acid, fertilizer
and portland cement.
1. Chang R. and Tikkanen W. (1988). The Top fFfty Industrial Chemicals.
2. George T. A. (1977). Shreves Chemical Process Industries. 5
edn. McGRAW-
HILL INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS. Chemical Engineering Series. Singa-
4. Stephenson R.M. (1966). Introduction to the Chemical Process Industries,
Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York.
mistry, 5
Edition, VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 76
List of relevant resources
Computer with internet facility to access links and relevant copywrite free
CD-Rom accompanying this module for compulsory reading and demonstra-
Multimedia resources like video,VCD and CDplayers
List of relevant useful links
http:/uk.encarta.msn.com/media_761566936/Sulphuric _Acid.html
These sites have information and other links on manufacturing technologies
of various chemical products.
4.1. Manufacture of Sodium Hydroxide and Chlorine by the Chlor-alkali
4.1.1. Introduction
Before the electrolytic method of making sodium hydroxide and chlorine (chlor-
alkali process) became widely used, sodium hydroxide was made from soda ash by
the lime-soda process. The soda ash as aqueous Na
is reacted with slaked lime
) according to the following equation:
(aq) + Ca(OH)
(s) = 2NaOH(aq) + CaCO
The chlor-alkali process has gradually replaced the lime-soda process.
4.1.2. Raw Materials
The chlor-alkali industry uses rock salt, a natural deposit of sodium chloride. The
aqueous sodium chloride solution, referred to as brine contains Na
, Cl
, H
and OH

ions. Electrolysis of this solution produces simultaneously chlorine, sodium hydroxide
and hydrogen in the ratio of 1:1.13:0.028
4.1.3. Chlor-alkali process
simultaneously produced as a result of the electrolysis of brine. The most common
chlor-alkali chemicals are chlorine and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) but can
include potassium hydroxide when a potassium brine is used.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 77
Brine electrolysis produces chlorine at the anode and hydrogen along with the alkali
hydroxide at the cathode. The two products are removed in separate streams.
The overall chemical reaction of electrolysis of sodium chloride is:
2NaCl(aq) + 2H
O(l) = 2NaOH(aq) + Cl
(g) + H
If chlorine is not separated from the sodium hydroxide, side reactions such as the
following would occur:
2NaOH(aq) + Cl
(g) = NaOCl(aq) + NaCl(aq) + H
(g) + Cl(g) = 2HCl(g)
Three processes are in use: the diaphragm-cell process, the membrane-cell process,
and the mercury-cell process. These are shown in the fgures below.
Fig 4.1. Chlor-alkali cells
4.1.4. Mercury Cells
In the mercury-cell process, a fowing pool of mercury at the bottom of the electro-
lytic cell serves as the cathode. The anodes are graphite or modifed titanium. When
an electric current passes through the brine, chlorine is produced at the anode and
sodium dissolves in the mercury, forming an amalgam of sodium and mercury. The
amalgam is then poured into a separate vessel, where it decomposes into sodium
and mercury.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 78
Cell reactions
At the anode

+ e Cl Cl
aq 2 2
) ( 2
) (
At cathode

Hg Na e Na
aq / 2 2 2 ) ( +
) ( 2 ) (
2 2
g aq
Cl NaHg NaCl +
The amalgam (a mercury-sodium alloy) is taken to a different vessel for decompo-
sition according to the equation:
2Na .Hg + 2H
O = 2NaOH + H
+ Hg
Initially mercury cells seemed to dominate the feld because it produced high quality
products. With exactly the required amount of water added, a 50%NaOH solution is
formed which does not greatly require much evaporation for concentration.
However, mercury cells use much more electrical energy than diaphragm and mem-
brane cells. Also, small quantities of mercury discharges into nearby streams. These
discharges were found to be sources of the carcinogenic methyl mercury. This has led
to prohibition and gradual replacement of the mercury cells by diaphragm cells.
4.1.5. Diaphragm Cells
These cells contain a diaphragm, usually made of asbestos fbres that separate the
anode from the cathode. The diaphragm also allows ions to pass by electrical mi-
gration but limit the diffusion of products. The anodes are made of graphite and the
cathodes of cast iron. When an electric current passes through the brine, the chlorine
ions and sodium ions move to the electrodes. Chlorine gas is produced at the anode,
and sodium ions at the cathode react with the water, forming caustic soda. Some salt
remains in the solution with the caustic soda and can be removed at a later stage.
Advantages and disadvantages
i. The electrodes can be placed close together and this permits compactness of
diaphragm cells of low electrical resistance.
ii. They easily become congested with use (shown by high voltage drop) and
therefore must be replaced regularly.
iii. Diaphragms permit fow of brine from anode to cathode and this reduces
greatly on side reactions like formation of sodium hypochlorite.
iv. Diaphragm cells with metal cathodes like titanium coated with rare earth
oxides, rarely develop congested diaphragms and do not require regular re-
placement. This reduces on operating costs.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 79
v. The release of asbestos to the environment is a major anticipated problem
of diaphragm cells. Diaphragms made of corrosion resistant plastics are a
proposed solution to asbestos pollution.
vi. A major advantage is that diaphragm cells can operate on dilute 20% reaso-
nably impure brine. Such brines produce dilute sodium hydroxide (about
15%) contaminated with sodium chloride. Concentrations to about 50% are
achieved by use of multi-effect evaporators. Studies have shown that nearly
2,600kg of water must be evaporated to obtain 1 ton of 50% caustic soda.
Diaphragm cell technology is still in use, but the use of asbestos in the cells is causing
new plants to turn to the newer ion-exchange or membrane technology.
4.1.6. Membrane Cells
Improved designs of membrane cells and cheaper purifcation have increased the
economics of the new membrane process.
Fig 4.2 represents a condensed overview of a membrane cell process.
Fig 4.2 Membrane chlor-alkali process
In this process, rather than using a diaphragm, semi permeable membrane made of
plastic sheets is used to separate the anode and cathode compartments. The plastic
sheets are porous and chemically active to allow sodium ions to pass through but
reject hydroxyl ions. An example of membrane material is perfuorosulphonic acid
The membranes exclude OH
and Cl
ions from the anode chamber thereby making
the product free from the salt contamination experienced in the diaphragm cell. The
membrane cells use more concentrated brine solutions and produce purer and more
concentrated sodium hydroxide, which require less evaporation during concentration.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 80
Fig 4.3 Chlor-alkali membrane cell
Brine is pumped into the anode compartment, and only sodium ions pass into the
cathode compartment, which contains pure water. Thus, the caustic soda produced
has very little salt contamination.
4.2. Manufacture of Ammonia
4.2.1. Introduction.
Ammonia is one of the most highly produced inorganic chemicals in the world be-
cause of its widespread application. Synthetic ammonia is produced from the reaction
between nitrogen and hydrogen. Before synthetic nitrogen fxation was discovered,
manures, ammonium sulfate (a by-product from the coking of coal), Chilean saltpetre,
and later, ammonia recovered from coke manufacture were some of the important
sources of fxed nitrogen. During the frst decade of the twentieth century, the world-
wide demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers far exceeded the existent supply.
4.2.2. Uses of ammonia
Ammonia is the basis from which virtually all nitrogen-containing products are
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 8'
The main uses of ammonia include the manufacture of:
Fertilizers ((ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate, urea)
Nitric acid
Fibres, synthetic rubber, plastics such as nylon and other polyamides
Refrigeration for making ice, large scale refrigeration plants, air-conditioning
units in buildings and plants
Pharmaceuticals (sulfonamide, vitamins, etc.)
Pulp and paper
Extractive metallurgy
Cleaning solutions
4.1.3. Raw Materials
The raw materials used to manufacture ammonia are air, water and, hydrocarbons.
Coal can also be used in place of hydrocarbons but the process is complex and ex-
4.2.4. Nitrogen fixation
For a long time, commercial development of nitrogen fxation ammonia process had
proved elusive. Old methods used to produce ammonia included dry distillation of
nitrogenous vegetable and animal waste products. Here, nitrous acid and nitrites were
reduced with hydrogen according to the following equation:
O + 4H
= 2NH
+ H
Ammonia was also produced by the decomposition of ammonium salts using alkaline
hydroxides such as quicklime as shown in the following equation.
Cl + 2CaCl
= CaCl
+ Ca(OH)
+ 2NH
Haber invented a large-scale catalytic synthesis of ammonia from elemental hydro-
gen and nitrogen gas, reactants which are abundant and inexpensive. By using high
temperature (around 500
C), high pressure (approximately 150-200 atm), and an
iron catalyst, Haber could force relatively unreactive gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen
to combine into ammonia.
The collaborative efforts of Haber and Carl Bosch made the commercial high-pressure
synthesis of ammonia possible by 1913. This energy-intensive process has undergone
considerable modifcation in recent years.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 82
4.2.5. Chemical Reaction and Equilibrium
Ammonia synthesis from nitrogen and hydrogen is an exothermic reversible reaction
and can be described by the following overall reaction.
+ 3/2H

500 o
C, Fe NH
H = 45.7kJ/mol
The reaction is accompanied by decrease in volume and by Le Chateliers principle,
increasing the pressure causes the equilibrium to shift to the right resulting in a higher
yield of ammonia. Since the reaction is exothermic, decreasing the temperature also
causes the equilibrium position to move to the right again resulting in a higher yield
of ammonia. We can conclude then that ammonia synthesis as per equation (1) is an
equilibrium reaction that is favoured by low temperature and high pressure. Ther-
modynamics gives us equilibrium conditions of the reaction but does not give us any
idea about the rate of reaction. The reaction does not proceed at ambient temperature
because nitrogen requires a lot of energy to dissociate. In the gas phase this dissocia-
tion occurs only at around 3000C. Even the hydrogen molecule, which has a weaker
molecular bond, only dissociates markedly at temperatures above 1000C.
4.2.6. Catalyst
Since the ammonia synthesis reaction cannot be moved to the right at low temperature,
this calls for temperature increase, which unfortunately drives the reverse reaction.
This is where the role of the iron catalyst comes in. The reaction when carried out
at high pressures and temperatures occurs with large yields when iron catalysts are
present. The hydrogen and nitrogen molecules lose their translational degrees of
freedom when bound to the catalyst surface. This reduces the activation energy for
the release of atomic nitrogen dramatically, and thus makes the forward reaction go
faster at lower temperatures. The use of lower temperature reaction conditions means
there is limited reverse reaction. But we still need reasonably high temperatures
(250-400C) even with the use of a catalyst which essentially accelerates the reac-
tion suffciently so that we can obtain ammonia at conditions where the equilibrium
conversion is large enough to be useful.
Iron catalyst
The real problem has been to fnd a suitable catalyst so that the maximum amount of
product is obtained with minimum volume of the catalyst in the shortest time possible.
The catalysts, which Haber initially employed, were catalytically active pure metals,
which were too expensive. They also lost catalytic activity after a short time due to
poisoning. Iron was one of the metals that showed high activity. However, pure iron
has a regular shape with low porosity which is a disadvantage for a catalyst. The iron
can be made irregular by mixing and fusing iron oxide with other oxides combinations.
This is referred to as structural promotion. A common iron catalyst promoter is a
mixture of Al
and K
O. Its optimal performance requires reaction temperatures
around 400C and pressures from 150-300 atmospheres. Ammonia synthesis reaction
is carried out commercially at 200-500 atm and 450 to 600
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 8J
4.2.8. Modern Method of Manufacturing Ammonia
The manufacturing process consists of six stages namely: manufacture of reactant
gases, purifcation, compression, catalytic reaction, recovery of ammonia formed and
recirculation and ammonia removal as shown in the fow diagram Fig. 4.4.

Fig. 4.4 Block diagram of an ammonia plant
Hydrogen is obtained by conversion of hydrocarbons such as methane, propane,
butane or naphtha into gaseous hydrogen. Desulphurization
Hydrocarbon feedstocks contain sulphur in the form of H
and mercaptans.
The catalyst used in the reforming reaction is deactivated (poisoned) by sulphur. The
problem is solved by catalytic hydrogenation of the sulphur compounds as shown in
the following equation:
+RSH = RH + H
The gaseous hydrogen sulphide is then removed by passing it through a bed of zinc
oxide where it is converted to solid zinc sulphide:
S+ZnO = ZnS+H
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 84 Primary (Steam) Reforming.
Reforming is the process of converting natural gas or naptha (C
) into hydro-
gen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Steam and natural gas are combined at a
three-to-one ratio. This mixture is preheated and passed through catalyst-flled tubes
in the primary reformer.
Catalytic steam reforming of the sulphur-free feedstock produces synthesis gas (hy-
drogen and carbon monoxide). Using methane as an example:

Ni, 15-20 atm, 1000-1100 o
C CO + 3H
The reaction is endothermic. It is operated at 1000-1100
C. It is not favoured by high
pressures, but to reduce volumetric fow rate at high temperature, the steam reforming
reaction is carried out at high pressures of 15 to 20 atm. Secondary reformer
From the primary reformer, the mixture fows to the secondary reformer. Air is fed
into the reformer to completely convert methane to CO in the following endothermic
+ Air

Ni, 15-20 atm, 1000-1100

c CO + H
O + N
The nitrogen and hydrogen coming out of the secondary reformer are in the ratio of
3:1. This mixture is known as the synthesis gas. Shift Conversion.
The carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide with the assistance of catalyst
beds at different temperatures.
O = CO
This water-gas shift reaction is favorable for producing carbon dioxide which is used as
a raw material for urea production. At the same time more hydrogen is produced. Purifcation.
The carbon dioxide is removed either by scrubbing with water, aqueous monoetha-
nolamine solution or hot potassium carbonate solution.
CO is an irreversible poison for the catalyst used in the synthesis reaction, hence
the need for its removal The synthesis gas is passed over another catalyst bed in the
methanator, where remaining trace amounts of carbon monoxide and dioxide are
converted back to methane using hydrogen.
= CH
= CH
+ 2H
Note that the frst equation is the opposite of the reformer reaction.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 85 Ammonia Converter.
After leaving the compressor, the gaseous mixture goes through catalyst beds in the
synthesis converter where ammonia is produced with a three-to-one hydrogen-to-nitro-
gen stoichiometric ratio. However, not all the hydrogen and nitrogen are converted to
ammonia. The unconverted hydrogen and nitrogen are separated from the ammonia in
the separator and re-cycled back to the synthesis gas compressor and to the converter
with fresh feed. Because the air contains argon which does not participate in the main
reactions, purging it minimizes its build up in the recycle loop. Ammonia Separation
The removal of product ammonia is accomplished via mechanical refrigeration or
absorption/distillation. The choice is made by examining the fxed and operating
costs. Typically, refrigeration is more economical at synthesis pressures of 100 atm
or greater. At lower pressures, absorption/distillation is usually favoured. Ammonia Storage
Ammonia is stored in tanks as a refrigerated liquid. Some ammonia is used directly
as a fertilizer. Most ammonia is converted in downstream processes to urea (46%
nitrogen) or ammonium nitrate (34% nitrogen) for use as fertilizer.
4.2.9. Some environmental impacts of ammonia production
Ammonia is toxic, irritant and corrosive to metal alloys (e.g. copper alloys). In refri-
geration, its replacement by the non-toxic chlorofuorocarbon (CFCs) has contributed
to global warming. In large industrial processes such as bulk ice making, and food
processing and preservation, ammonia is still being used as a refrigerant.
The toxicity of ammonia solution is usually not harmful to human beings because it
is easily excreted in urine. However, ammonia even in dilute concentrations is toxic
to aquatic animals because they do not have the mechanisms to eliminate it from
their bodies by excretion.

/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 86
4.3. Sulphuric Acid Manufacture
4.3.1. Introduction
During the 19th century, the German chemist Baron Justus von Liebig discovered
that sulphuric acid, when added to the soil, increased the amount of soil phosphorus
available to plants. This discovery gave rise to an increase in the commercial pro-
duction of sulphuric acid and led to improved methods of manufacture.
4.3.2. Uses of sulphuric acid
Sulphuric acid is the most widely used chemical.The largest single use of sulphuric
acid is for making phosphate and ammonium sulphate fertilizers. Other uses include
production of phosphoric acid, trisodium phosphates for detergent making. Sulphuric
acid is also used in large quantities in iron and steel making as a pickling agent to
remove oxidation, rust and scale from from the metals. It is an oxidizing and dehy-
drating agent. Its dehydrating action is vital in absorbing water formed in chemical
conversions such as nitration, sulphonation, and esterifcation. It vigorously removes
water from, and therefore chars, wood, cotton, sugar, and paper. As a strong oxidizing
agent it is capable of dissolving such relatively unreactive metals as copper, mercury,
and lead to make compounds of these metals.
It is used in the manufacture of aluminium sulphate for application in paper pulp
production and in water treatment. It is also used as an electrolyte in lead acid bat-
teries found in cars.
Various concentrations of sulphuric acid are available depending on the application
purpose. These include:
10% dilute acid for laboratory use, pH = 1
33.3% for lead acid batteries, pH = 0.5
62.2% for chamber and fertilizer manufacture, pH = 0.4
77.7% tower or Glover acid pH = 0.25
93.2% Oil of Vitriol
98% conc acid, pH = 0.1
100% H
20% oleum (104.5% H
4.3.3. Raw Materials
Raw materials for sulphuric acid are those that produce sulphur dioxide when reacted
with oxygen. The commonly used raw materialds are:
Elemental sulphur
Sulphides such as pyrites
Hydrogen sulphide from petroleum refneries
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 87
4.3.4. Manufacturing process
Two processes, the lead-chamber and contact processes, are used for the production
of sulphuric acid. In their initial steps, both processes require the use of sulphur
dioxide. The Lead-chamber process
This process employs as reaction vessels large lead-sheathed brick towers. In these
towers, sulphur-dioxide gas, air, steam, and oxides of nitrogen react to yield sulphuric
acid as fne droplets that fall to the bottom of the chamber. Almost all the nitrogen
oxides are recovered from the outfowing gas and are brought back to the chamber
to be used again. Sulphuric acid produced in this way is only about 62 to 70 per cent
. The rest is water. The chamber process has become obsolete and has been
repalced by the contact process due to the following reasons:
i. An increased demand for strong, pure acid and oleum
ii. Contact process plants are cheaper and more compact The Contact Process
The second method of manufacturing sulphuric acid, the contact process, which came
into commercial use about 1900, depends on oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur
trioxide, SO
, under the accelerating infuence of a catalyst.
The frst contact plants (before 1920) were built using platinum catalysts. Finely divi-
ded platinum, the most effective catalyst, has two disadvantages: it is very expensive,
and it is deactivated by certain impurities in ordinary sulphur dioxide. They include
compunds of arsenic, antimony and lead. In the middle of 1920s, vanadium catalysts
started being used and have since then replaced platinum. By 1930, the contact process
could compete with the chamber process and because it produces high strength acid,
it has almost replaced the chamber process.
Since the oxidation of sulphur and sulphur dioxide releases large amounts of energy,
major changes in the manufacturing plant design were introduced to utilise this heat
energy in the production of steam for generating electrical power. This combination
of a chemical plant and electrical generation is known as co-generation.
The fow diagram for sulphuric acid manufacture by the contact process is shown
in Fig. 4.5
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 88
Fig. 4.5 Block diagram for the manufacture of sulphuric acid by the contact process.
The main steps in the contact plant are:
production of sulphur dioxide gas
purifying and cooling the gas
the gas conversion of SO
into sulphur trioxide (SO
) by passing it through a
converter containing the catalyst
absorbing the sulphur trioxide in sulphuric acid Production of SO
Sulphur is burned in the sulphur burner to produce sulphur dioxide:
(g) = SO
(g), H = -298.3 kJat 25
Before combustion, sulphur, is frst melted by heating it to 135C. Combustion is
carried out at between 900 and 1800C. The combustion unit has a process gas cooler.
The SO
content of the combustion gases is generally around 18% by volume and
the O
content is low but higher than 3%. The gases are generally diluted to 9-12%
before entering the conversion process.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 89
Conversion of SO
into SO

The design and operation of sulphuric acid plants are focused on the following gas
phase chemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst:
(g) = 2SO
(g), H = -98.3kJ at 25
From thermodynamic and stoichiometric considerations, the following methods are
available to maximise the formation of SO
for the O
heat removal: the formation of SO
is exothermic, so a decrease of temperature
will be favourable
increased oxygen concentration
removal of SO

raising the system pressure
catalyst selection to reduce the working temperature
longer reaction time
This reaction is a reversible reaction and the conditions used are a compromise
between equilibrium and rate considerations.
It is necessary to shift the position of the equilibrium as far as possible to the right in
order to produce the maximum possible amount of sulphur trioxide in the equilibrium
mixture. Even though excess O
would move the SO
formation to the right, the 1:1
mixture gives the best possible overall yield of sulphur trioxide. The forward reaction
is exothermic and is favoured by low temperature. However, too low a temperature
slows the reaction. To get the gases to reach equilibrium within a very short time, a
compromise temperature of 400450
C is used. According to Le Chateliers principle
high pressures favour the forward reaction. However, even at relatively low pressures
of 1 to 2 atmospheres, there is a 99.5% conversion of sulphur dioxide into sulphur
trioxide. In the absence of a catalyst the reaction is quite slow and is therefore carried
out in the presence of a vanadium oxide catalyst which has a long life because it is
not easily poisoned. Further more, vanadium catalyst has high conversion effciency.
Its only disadvantage is that it requires use of low sulphur dioxide concentration
which makes plant capital cost to be high.
In summary, optimum conditions for sulphuric acid production in the contact process
A temperature of about 430
A pressure of 2 atmospheres
Vanadium pentoxide catalyst.
A diagram of the converter is shown in Fig. 4.6
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 90
Fig 4.6 Converter for SO
into SO
3 Absorption of SO

Sulphuric acid (H
) is obtained from the absorption of SO
into sulphuric acid
with a concentration of at least 98%, followed by the adjustment of the strength by
the controlled addition of water.
, will react with water to form sulphuric acid. However, converting the sulphur
trioxide into sulphuric acid cannot be done by simply adding water to the sulphur
trioxide. Direct mixing of sulphur trioxide with water by the following reaction is
uncontrollable. The exothermic nature of the reaction means it generates a fog or mist
of sulphuric acid, which is more diffcult to work with than a liquid.
O(l) = H
(l), H = -130.4kJ at 25
Instead, the sulphur trioxide is frst dissolved in concentrated (98%) sulphuric acid
to form a product known as fuming sulphuric acid or oleum.
(l)+ = H
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 9'
The oleum can then be reacted safely with water to produce concentrated sulphuric
O(l) = 2H
(l) Environmental Issues
Sulphuric acid is a constituent of acid rain, formed by atmospheric oxidation of
sulphur dioxide in the presence of water. Sulphur dioxide is released when fuels
containing sulphur such as oil and coal are burned. The gas escapes into the atmos-
phere forming sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid is also formed naturally by oxidation
of sulphide ores.
4.4. Manufacture of Fertilizers
4.4.1. Introduction
Fertilizer is a substance added to soil to improve the growth and yield of plants. Mo-
dern synthetic fertilizers are composed mainly of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
compounds with secondary nutrients added.
The process of adding substances to soil to improve its growing capacity was devel-
oped in the early days of agriculture. Ancient farmers knew that the frst yields on a
could be improved by spreading animal manure throughout the soil. Over time, fer-
tilizer technology became more refned. New substances that improved the growth
of plants were discovered.
4.4.2. Uses of fertilizer
The use of synthetic fertilizers has signifcantly improved the quality and quantity
of the food available today, although their long-term use is an environmental subject
of debate.
As has been mentioned, fertilizers are typically composed of nitrogen, phosphorus,
and potassium as micronutrients. Nitrogen helps make plants green and plays a
major role in boosting crop yields. It plays a critical role in protein formation and is
a key component of chlorophyll. Plants with adequate nitrogen show healthy vigo-
rous growth, strong root development, dark green foliage, increased seed and fruit
formation and higher yields.
proteins. Phosphorus is also needed to provide the energy to drive metabolic chemical
reactions. Without enough phosphorus, plant growth is reduced.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 92
Potassium helps plants grow strong stalks, in the same way that calcium gives people
strong bones. It is used in protein synthesis and other key plant processes. Yellowing,
enough potassium.
Besides the above three macronutrients, fertilizers also contain trace elements that
improve the growth of plants. Calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are also important
without them, plants can die. The absence of any one nutrient in the soil can limit
plant growth, even when all other plant nutrients are present in adequate amounts.
4.4.3. Raw materials
Primary fertilizers include substances derived from nitrogen, phosphorus, and po-
tassium. Nitrogen is derived from ammonia, phosphorus from phosphate rock and
potassium from potassium chloride, a primary component of potash.
4.4.4. The Manufacturing Process
Fully integrated factories have been designed to produce compound fertilizers from
primary fertilizers. Depending on the actual composition of the end product, the
production process will differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Multicomponent fertilizers are compound fertilizers composed of primary nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers and secondary nutrients. Generally, each
granule of the compound fertilizer contains a uniform ratio of nutrients, or blends.
The three numbers on a bag of such a fertilizer are referred to as the analysis. It is
the percentage of nitrogen, phosphate and potash that is available to plants from that
bag of fertilizer. N-5-P-10-K-5 or simply 5-10-5 means 5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent
phosphate and 5 percent potash. The analysis found on a bag or bulk shipment of
fertilizer tells the farmer or consumer the amount of nutrients being supplied.
The balance 80 percent will contain some micronutrients and fller material, which
allows for even application of the nutrients across the fertilized area.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 9J

Fig 4.7 A bag of fertilizer showing analysis Nitrogen fertilizer
Ammonia (82-0-0) is a basic nitrogen fertilizer. Stored as a liquid under pressure or
refrigerated, it becomes a gas when exposed to air and is injected into the soil It is
also used as a building block to make other easy to handle nitrogen fertilizer products,
including urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and water-based liquid nitrogen
fertilizers. Nitric acid and ammonia are used to make ammonium nitrate (34-0-0), a
solid granular fertilizer with a high concentration of nitrogen. The two materials are
with the other fertilizer components.
Urea (46-0-0) is a solid nitrogen product typically applied in granular form. It can be
combined with ammonium nitrate and dissolved in water to make a highly soluble
liquid nitrogen fertilizer known as urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution typically
containing 28 to 32 % nitrogen.
Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) is another solid nitrogen fertilizer. Phosphate fertilizer
Phosphate rock, Ca
F which contains 27 to 38% phosphorus pentoxide (P
is the main raw material source from which most types of phosphate fertilizers are
In its unprocessed state, phosphate rock is not suitable for direct agricultural appli-
cation, since the phosphorus it contains is insoluble. To transform the phosphorus
into a plant-available form (CaH
O) and to obtain a more concentrated
nitric acid.
Acidulation by means of sulphuric acid converts the rock to monocalcium phosphate
popularly known as normal or single superphosphate (SSP) having a phosphorus
content of 15-20% P
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 94
Ground phosphate rock is thoroughly mixed with metered quantities of 60-70% sul-
phuric acid in the ratio of 0.82 to 0.95 acid to phosphate rock. The heat of dilution
serves to heat the acid to proper reaction temperature. Excess heat is dissipated by
evaporation of extra water added. The rate of water and acid addition is varied to
control moisture level. The fresh superphosphate drops to a slow moving conveyor
in a den where it takes I hour in order to solidify. A disintegrator slices the solid mass
of crude product before it is taken to pile storage. The chemical reaction continues
for 4-6 weeks to 15-20% P
. After curing, the product is bagged and shipped.
2 Ca
F + 7H
+ 3H
O 3CaH
O + 7CaSO
+ 2HF
Sulphuric acid is also used to manufacture phosphoric acid, an intermediate product
in the production of triple superphosphate (TSP).
Acidulation of the phosphate rock using phosphoric acid produces triple superphos-
phate by the following reaction:
F + 7H
+ 5H
O 5CaH
Since no CaSO
is formed, the phosphorus content is not diluted. Therefore, TSP
(0-46-0) has

a phosphorus content of 43-48 percent as P
Two processes are used to produce TSP fertilizers: run-of-pile and granular. The
run-of-pile process is similar to the SSP process. Granular TSP uses lower strength
phosphoric acid (40 percent compared to 50 percent for run-of -pile). Pulverized
ground phosphate rock is mixed with phosphoric acid in the reactor. The resultant
slurry is sprayed into the granulator. The product is dried, screened and cooled. It is
stored for 4-6 weeks to cure.
Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) (11-52-0) and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP)
(18-46-0) are called ammoniated phosphates because phosphoric acid is treated with
ammonia to form these basic phosphate products that also contain nitrogen. They are
widely produced in the granular form for blending with other types of fertilizers, and
are also produced in non-granular forms for use in liquid fertilizers.
Acidulation of phosphate rock using nitric acid produces NP slurries for use in the
manufacture of compound fertilizers.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 95 Potassium fertilizer
Most potassium (K) is obtained from naturally occurring ore deposits. Although the
low-grade unrefned mineral ores can be directly applied, it is normally purifed.
Potassium in the form of potassium chloride and potassium magnesium sulphate are
used in the manufacture of multi-nutrient fertilizers. Potassium chloride is typically
components. Manufacture of NPK fertilizer
quantities of thousands of tons, drum quantities, or in metal drums and bag contai-
The different types of particles are blended together in appropriate proportions to
produce a composite fertilizer. Typically, complex NPK fertilizers are manufactured
prior to being made into granules. PK fertilizers, on the other hand, are generally
produced by granulation of superphosphates (SSP or TSP) with potassium salts.
which has an inclined axis. (Refer to drum agglomerator in Unit 2). As the drum
is then applied to the particles to make them remain discreet and to inhibit moisture
retention. Finally, the particles are dried, thus completing the granulation process.
The fertilizer is emptied onto a conveyor belt, which transports it to the bagging
4.4.5. Quality Control
product at each stage of production. The raw materials and the fnished products are
specifcations previously developed. Some of the characteristics that are tested include
pH, appearance, density, and melting point. Since fertilizer production is government-
regulated, tests are run on samples to determine total content of nitrogen, phosphate,
and other elements in the specifcations.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 96
4.5. Manufacture Of Portland Cement
4.5.1. Introduction
Historically, cement can be traced back to the early Roman Empire. It contributed
to the building of the great structures of the Roman Empire. Portland cement is a
fne powder, generally gray in colour. It is composed primarily of calcium silicates,
calcium aluminates, and calcium ferrites. When mixed with water (hydrated), cement
solidifes to an artifcial rock, similar to Portland stone. A Portland stone is a yellow
limestone from the Isle of Portland, in Great Britain. Hence the name Portland cement.
By varying the amounts and types of the same basic ingredients, cement with various
properties may be obtained. Concrete is a mixture of gravel, sand and cement.
4.5.2. Raw materials
The major components of cement in terms of metal oxides are CaO, SiO
, Al
and Fe
. Typically, Ca is provided from limestone, Si from sand or fyash, Al from
fyash or clay, and Fe from iron ore or slag.
4.5.3. Manufacturing process
Fig 4.8 is a process fow diagram for a typical cement manufacturing plant.
Fig 4.8. A cement manufacturing process
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 97 Grinding
The feed to the grinding process is proportioned to meet a desired chemical compo-
sition. Typically, it consists of 80% limestone, 9% silica, 9% fyash, and 2% iron ore.
These materials are ground to 75 micron in a ball mill. Grinding can be either wet or
dry. The raw meal from dry milling is stored in a homogenizing silo in which the
chemical variation is reduced. In the wet process, each raw material is fed with water
to the ball mill. This slurry is pumped to blending tanks and homogenized to correct
chemical composition. The slurry is stored in tanks until required. Pyroprocessing
In the preheater, the raw meal from the mill is heated with the hot exhaust gas from
the kiln before being fed into the rotary kiln to form a semi-product known as clinker.
The ash from fuel used is also absorbed into the clinker. The particle size range for
clinker is from about 2 inches to about 10 mesh.
Fig 4.9. A cement kiln Reactions in the kiln
Basic chemical reactions are: evaporating all moisture, calcining the limestone to
produce free calcium oxide, and reacting the calcium oxide with the minor materials
(sand, shale, clay, and iron). This results in a fnal black, nodular product known as
clinker which has the desired hydraulic properties.
A summary of the physical and chemical reactions that take place in the kiln are
shown in Table 4.1.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 98
Table 4.1. Reactions in a cement kiln
C Reaction Remarks
100 Evaporation of water Solid phase reactions, endo-
>500 Evolution of combined
water from the clay
Solid phase reactions, endo-
900 Crystallization of amor-
phous dehydration prod-
Carbon dioxide evolution
from CaCO

Solid phase reactions, endo-
900 -1200 Main reactions between
lime and clay to form
Fusion reactions, exothermic
1250 - 1280 Beginning of liquid for-
Fusion reactions, endothermic
1280 -1550 Further liquid formation
and fnal cement forma-
Fusion reaction, endothermic
The main reactions which give the real strength of cement are as follows:
2CaO + CaO.SiO

>CaO + 2CaO.SiO

> 3CaO.SiO
The main constituents of clinker are shown in Table 4.2.
Table 4.2. Main constituents of clinker
Abbreviation Common name Function
S Dicalcium silicate Together with 3CaO.
, responsible for
fnal strength (I year)
S Tricalcium sili-
Responsible for early
strength i.e. 7-8 days
A Tricalcium alumi-
Causes fast harden-
ing; needs retarda-
tion by gypsum
by forming 3CaO.
3CaO. Al
AF Tetracalcium
Improves chemical
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 99
The rotary kiln discharges the red-hot clinker under the intense fame into a clinker
cooler. The clinker cooler recovers heat from the clinker and returns the heat to the
pyroprocessing system thus reducing fuel demand and cooling the clinker to a tem-
perature conducive for handling in subsequent steps. Finish Grinding
The fnal process of cement making is called fnish grinding. The clinker is dosed
with a controlled amount of gypsum and fed into a fnish mill. Other additives may
be added during the fnish grinding process to produce formulated cements such as
waterproofng and corrosion resistant cements.
The cement is stored in a bulk silo for packaging and/or bulk distribution.
Formative Evaluation
1. Write cell reactions for the mercury cell
2. Draw a process fow diagram to show how sodium hydroxide and chlorine
are produced using a membrane cell.
3. Describe briefy with the help of a diagram and equations, the Haber process
for manufacture of ammonia.
4. Why is it necessary to remove sulphur compounds from the feedstocks for
the ammonia process?
5. What are the major industrial and domestic uses of ammonia?
6. Consider the following reaction:
+ O
H = -98.3 kJ/mol at 25
Explain the reason behind setting the conditions as follows:
Temperature: 400-450
Pressure: 2 atmospheres
ratios: 1:1
7. Why are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium essential to plants?
8. What is the meaning of the following fertilizer analyses
(i) 0-46-0
(ii) 46-0-0
(iii) 5-10-5
9. What do you understand by the term Portland cement?
10. Explain the role played by various constituents in cement during curing of
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '00
Activity 5
Organic Chemical Industries Part I: Petroleum, Petrochemicals
And Polymers
Unit objectives
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
a. Discuss the occurrence and extraction of petroleum
king and catalytic reforming during petroleum processing
chemicals, namely, phthalic anhydride and adipic acid
d. Categorize polymerization reactions, polymers and polymer products
e. Describe the uses of various plastics
f. Explain how polyethylene and styrene butadiene rubber are manufactured
Summary of learning activity
This is the frst of two units dealing with organic chemical industries. We start with
petroleum refning because petroleum and its primary derivatives are the backbone
of modern organic chemical industries. We shall then study the manufacture of se-
lected petrochemicals namely phthalic anydride and adipic acid. Next, we shall look
at various types of polymers, their uses and how some of them are manufactured.
List of relevant readings
1. George T. A. (1977). Shreves Chemical Process Industries. 5
edn. McGRAW-
HILL INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS. Chemical Engineering Series. Singa-
2. Stephenson R.M. (1966). Introduction to the Chemical Process Industries,
Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York
3. Groggins P.H. (1958). Unit Processes in Organic Synthesis, 5
McGraw-Hill Book Company, New Delhi.
mistry, 5
Edition, VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '0'
List of relevant resources
Computer with internet facility to access links and relevant copywrite free
CD-Rom accompanying this module for compulsory reading and demonstra-
Multimedia resources like video, VCD and CD players
List of relevant useful links
From these sites, you will fnd a wealth of information on the technology of petrolem
refning with associated process fow diagrams. The chemistry including reaction
mechanisms of most of the processes are given. You will also fnd a wide variety of
chemical products and their production methods.
5.1 Petroleum Processing
5.1.1. Introduction
The term petroleum comes from the Latin stems petra, rock, and oleum, oil. It
gas and crude oil.
Natural gas: Natural gas which is a mixture of lightweight alkanes, accumulates in
porous rocks. A typical sample of natural gas when it is collected at its source contains
about 80% methane (CH
), 7% ethane (C
), 6% propane (C
), 4% butane and
isobutane (C
), and 3% pentanes (C
). The C
, C
, and C
hydrocarbons are
removed from natural gas are usually liquefed under pressure and sold as liquefed
petroleum gases (LPG).
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '02
Crude oil is a composite mixture of hydrocarbons (50-95% by weight) occurring
naturally. The frst step in refning crude oil involves separating the oil into different
hydrocarbon fractions by distillation. Each fraction is a complex mixture. For example,
more than 500 different hydrocarbons can be found in the gasoline fraction.
Petroleum is found in many parts of the world which include the Middle East, southern
United States, Mexico, Nigeria and the former Soviet Union.
5.1.2. Uses of petroleum
Most of the crude oil is used in the production of fuels such as gasoline, kerosene,
and fuel oil. Non-fuel uses include petroleum solvents, industrial greases and waxes,
or as raw materials for the synthesis of petrochemicals. Petroleum products are used
to produce synthetic fbres such as nylon and other polymers such as polystyrene,
and pesticides. The H
given off in refnery operations can be used to produce a number
from which most fertilizers as well as other agricultural chemicals are made.
5.1.3. Oil Extraction
The vast majority of petroleum is found in oilfelds or reservoirs below the earths
surface as shown in Fig 5.1.
Fig 5.1 Schematic diagram of a crude oil reservoir
The oil is sometimes under high pressure and can fow to the surface on its own wi-
thout pumping. However, most wells require induced pressure using water, carbon
dioxide, natural gas or steam in order to bring the oil to the surface.
Petroleum refning has evolved continuously in response to changing consumer
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '0J
evolution of the airplane created an initial need for high-octane aviation gasoline and
refneries produce a variety of products including many required as feedstock for
the petrochemical industry. Common petroleum products include gasoline, liquefed
refnery gas, still gases, kerosene, aviation fuel, distillate fuel oil, residual fuel oil,
lubricating oils, asphalt, coke and petrochemical feedstocks.
The history of petroleum refning is given in Table 5.1.
Table 5.1. History of Petroleum refning
Year Process Purpose By-Products, etc.
1862 Atmospheric distil-
Produce kerosene Naphtha, tar, etc.
1870 Vacuum distillation Lubricants originally, then crack-
ing feedstocks (1930s)
Asphalt, residual,
Coker feedstocks
1913 Thermal cracking Increase gasoline yield Residual, bunker
1916 Sweetening Reduce sulfur & odor Sulfur
1930 Thermal reforming Improve octane number Residual
1932 Hydrogenation Remove sulfur Sulfur
1932 Coking Produce gasoline basestock Coke
1933 Solvent extraction Improve lubricant viscosity index Aromatics
1935 Solvent dewaxing Improve pour point Waxes
1935 Cat. polymeriza-
Improve gasoline yield and octane
1937 Catalytic cracking Higher octane gasoline Petrochemical,
1939 Visbreaking Reduce viscosity Increased distillate,
1940 Alkylation Increase gasoline octane & yield High-octane avia-
tion gasoline
1940 Isomerization Produce alkylation feedstock Naphtha
1942 Fluid catalytic
Increase gasoline yield & octane
Petrochemical feedstocks
1950 Deasphalting Increase cracking feedstock Asphalt
1952 Catalytic reform-
Convert low-quality naphtha Aromatics
1954 Hydrodesulfuriza-
Remove sulfur Sulfur
1956 Inhibitor sweeten-
Remove mercaptan Disulfdes
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '04
1957 Catalytic isomeri-
Convert to molecules with high
octane number
Alkylation feed-
1960 Hydrocracking Improve quality and reduce sulfur Alkylation feed-
1974 Catalytic dewaxing Improve pour point Wax
1975 Residual hydro-
Increase gasoline yield from
Heavy residuals
Source: http://www.setlaboratories.com
5.1.4. Characteristics and classification of Crude Oil
As has been mentioned, crude oils are complex mixtures containing many different
hydrocarbon compounds that vary in appearance and composition from one oil feld
from clear to black.
An average crude oil contains about 84% carbon, 14% hydrogen, 1%-3% sulfur,
classifed as paraffnic, naphthenic, or aromatic, based on the predominant proportion
of similar hydrocarbon molecules. Oils with low carbon, high hydrogen, and high
API (American Petroleum Institute) gravity are usually rich in paraffns and tend to
carbon, low hydrogen, and low API gravities are usually rich in aromatics. The former
category is known as light crudes and the latter as heavy crudes.
Crude oils that contain appreciable quantities of hydrogen sulfde or other reactive
sulfur compounds are generally called sour. while those with lower sulfur are
called sweet.
5.1.4. Composition of petroleum
Crude petroleum contain hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon compounds.
Hyrocarbon compounds
Paraffns - The paraffnic crude oil hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil have
the general formula C
and can be either straight chains (normal) or branched
chains (isomers) of carbon atoms. The lighter, straight chain paraffn molecules are
found in gases and paraffn waxes. The branched-chain (isomer) paraffns such as
isobutene are usually found in heavier fractions of crude oil and have higher octane
numbers than normal paraffns.
Aromatics: The aromatic series include simple aromatic compounds such as ben-
zene, naphthalenes and the most complex aromatics, the polynuclears which
have three or more fused aromatic rings. They have high anti-knock value and good
storage stability.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '05
Naphthenes (Naphtha): These are saturated hydrocarbon groupings with the general
formula C
of crude oil except the very lightest. Single-ring naphthenes (monocycloparaffns) with
fve and six carbon atoms such as cyclohexane predominate. Two-ring naphthenes
(dicycloparaffns) are found in the heavier ends of naphtha.
Alkenes (Olefns): Olefns such as ethylene, butene, isobutene are usually formed by
They are unstable and also improve the anti-knock tendencies of gasoline but not
as much as the iso-alkanes. When stored, the olefns polymerise and oxidize. This
tendency to react is employed in the production of petrochemicals.
Dienes and Alkynes: Examples of dienes or diolefns, are 1,2-butadiene and 1,3-
butadiene. Acetylene is a typical alkyne. This category of hydrocarbons is obtained
from lighter fractions through cracking.
Sulfur Compounds: Sulfur may be present in crude oil as hydrogen sulfde (H
S), as
mercaptans, sulfdes, disulfdes, thiophenes, etc. or as elemental sulfur. Each crude
Sulphur is an undesirable component because of its strong offensive odour, corro-
sion, air pollution by some of its compounds and its effect of reducing tetraethyl lead
(anti-knock agent). Hydrogen sulfde is a primary contributor to corrosion in refnery
processing units. Other corrosive substances are elemental sulfur and mercaptans.
The corrosive sulfur compounds also have an obnoxious odor. The combustion of
petroleum products containing sulfur compounds produces undesirables such as
sulfuric acid and sulfur dioxide. Catalytic hydrotreating processes such as hydrode-
sulfurization remove sulfur compounds from refnery product streams. Sweetening
processes either remove the obnoxious sulfur compounds or convert them to odorless
disulfdes, as in the case of mercaptans.
Oxygen Compounds: Oxygen compounds such as phenols, ketones, and carboxylic
acids occur in crude oils in varying amounts.
Nitrogen Compounds: Nitrogen is found in lighter fractions of crude oil as basic
compounds, and more often in heavier fractions of crude oil as nonbasic compounds.
Nitrogen oxides can form in process furnaces. The decomposition of nitrogen
compounds in catalytic cracking and hydrocracking processes forms ammonia and
cyanides that can cause corrosion.
Trace Metals: Metals, including nickel, iron, and vanadium are often found in crude
oils in small quantities and are removed during the refning process. Burning heavy
fuel oils in refnery furnaces and boilers can leave deposits of vanadium oxide and
certain catalysts.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '06
Salts: Crude oils often contain inorganic salts such as sodium chloride, magnesium
in the form of an emulsion. These salts must be removed or neutralized before
(HCl) and the subsequent formation of hydrochloric acid when crude oil is heated.
Hydrogen chloride may also combine with ammonia to form ammonium chloride
Cl), which causes fouling and corrosion. Salt is removed mainly by mechanical
or electrical desalting
Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide may result from the decomposition of bicarbonates
Naphthenic Acids: Some crude oils contain naphthenic (organic) acids, which may
become corrosive at temperatures above 230C when the acid value of the crude is
above certain level.
5.1. 5. Petroleum Refining
The petroleum industry began with the successful drilling of the frst commercial
oil well in 1859, and the opening of the frst refnery two years later to process the
crude into kerosene. Today, petroleum refnery products obtained include gasoline,
kerosene, propane, fuel oil, lubricating oil, wax, and asphalt.
Refning crude oil involves two kinds of processes: First, there are physical proces-
ses which simply refne the crude oil (without altering its molecular structure) into
useful products such as lubricating oil or fuel oil. Petroleum refning begins with
distillation, or fractionation, which separates crude oil in atmospheric and vacuum
distillation towers into groups of hydrocarbon compounds of differing boiling-point
ranges called fractions or cuts.
Second, there are chemical conversion processes which alter the size and/or mole-
cular structure of hydrocarbon molecules to produce a wide range of products, some
of them known by the general term petrochemicals. Conversion processes include:
Decomposition (dividing) by thermal and catalytic cracking;
Unifcation (combining) through alkylation and polymerization; and
Alteration (rearranging) with isomerization and catalytic reforming.
As seen above, the major chemical conversions include cracking, alkylation, polym-
erisation, isomerisation and reforming. The converted products are then subjected to
various treatment and separation processes.
Treatment Processes are intended to prepare hydrocarbon streams for additional
processing and to prepare fnished products. Treatment may include the removal or
separation of aromatics and naphthenes as well as impurities and undesirable conta-
minants. Treatment may involve chemical or physical separation such as dissolving,
absorption, or precipitation using a variety and combination of processes including
hydrodesulfurizing and sweetening.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '07
Formulating and Blending is the process of mixing and combining hydrocarbon
fractions, additives, and other components to produce fnished products with specifc
performance properties. Integrated refneries incorporate fractionation, conversion,
treatment, and blending operations and may also include petrochemical processing.
5.1.6. Octane number and the development of cracking and reforming processes
ratios of about 9:1, which means the gasoline-air mixture in the cylinder is compressed
compression engines, producing a shock wave that causes the engine to knock,
The challenge for the petroleum industry was to increase the yield of gasoline from
each barrel of crude oil and to decrease the tendency of gasoline to knock when it
burned. It was found that:
Branched alkanes and cycloalkanes burn more evenly than straight-chain
Short alkanes (C
) burn more evenly than long alkanes (C
Alkenes burn more evenly than alkanes.
Aromatic hydrocarbons burn more evenly than cycloalkanes.
its octane number. Octane numbers compare a gasolines tendency to knock against
the tendency to knock of a blend of two hydrocarbons heptane and 2,2,4-trimethyl-
pentane, (isooctane). Heptane produces a great deal of knocking while isooctane is
heptane are given an octane number of 87.
and high temperature are reported as motor octane numbers while measurements ta-
ken under relatively mild engine conditions are known as research octane numbers.
two. Road-index octane numbers for a few pure hydrocarbons are given in the Table
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '08
Table 5.2. Hydrocarbon Road Octane Numbers
Hydrocarbon Road Index Octane Number
Heptane 0
2-Methylheptane 23
Hexane 25
2-Methylhexane 44
1-Heptene 60
Pentane 62
1-Pentene 84
Butane 91
Cyclohexane 97
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane (iso-
Benzene 101
Toluene 112
number of gasoline. Adding as little as 6 ml of tetraethyllead to a gallon of gasoline,
rise to the frst ethyl gasoline, and enabled the petroleum industry to produce
aviation gasolines with octane numbers greater than 100.
Another way to increase the octane number is thermal reforming. At high tempera-
tures (500-600
C) and high pressures (25-50 atm), straight-chain alkanes isomerize
a mixture of silica (SiO
) and alumina (Al
) results in catalytic reforming, which
can produce a gasoline with even higher octane numbers.
The yield of gasoline is increased by cracking the long chain hydrocarbons into
smaller pieces at high temperatures (500
C) and high pressures (25 atm). A satura-
ted C
hydrocarbon in kerosene, for example, might break into two C
The presence of alkenes in thermally cracked gasolines increases the octane number
ked gasoline less stable for long-term storage. Thermal cracking has therefore been
replaced by catalytic cracking, which uses catalysts instead of high temperatures
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '09
The fow diagrams Fig. 5.2 and 5.3 show the various processes undertaken to improve
the yields and quality of petroleum products. Among them are catalytic cracking and
catalytic reforming.
Fig. 5.2. Refning operations
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''0
Fig 5.3 Petroleum refning
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '''
5.1.7. Catalytic Cracking
Ethylene and propylene are the most important organic chemical feedstocks accoun-
ting for over 50-60% of all organic chemicals. But because of their relatively high
reactivities, very few olefns are found in natural gas or crude oil. Therefore, they
must be manufactured by cracking processes.
The purpose of cracking is to break complex hydrocarbons into simpler molecules
decrease the amount of residuals. The heavy hydrocarbon feedstock is cracked into
feedstock. LPG gases are feedstock for olefns such as ethylene and propylene.
The decomposition takes place by catalytic action or heating in the absence of oxygen
(pyrolysis). The catalysts used in refnery cracking units are typically zeolite, alumi-
num hydrosilicate, treated bentonite clay, fullers earth, bauxite, and silica-alumina
) all of which come in the form of powders, beads, or pellets.
The formation of gasoline (with low molecular weight) from heavy gas oil of high
molecular weight is shown in the following equation:

There are three basic functions in the catalytic racking process:
Reaction - Feedstock reacts with catalyst and cracks into different hydrocar-
Regeneration - Catalyst is reactivated by burning off coke
Fractionation - Cracked hydrocarbon stream is separated into various pro-
5.1.8. Catalytic Reforming
into high-octane gasoline blending components called reformates. Depending on the
properties of the naphtha feedstock (as measured by the paraffn, olefn, naphthene,
blending and petrochemical processing. Hydrogen, a signifcant by-product, is se-
parated from the reformate for recycling and use in other processes. Most processes
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''2
The conversion is illustrated by the following reaction in which a cycloalkane is
converted to an aromatic compound, usually of higher octane number.
The naphtha feed is mixed with recycled hydrogen and introduced to the feed preheater
to raise the temperature. The hot mixture of hydrogen and naphtha vapours is passed
through a series of four reactors containing the catalyst. The working temperatures and
pressures are usually between 150
C to 510
C and 1500kPa to 7000kPa respectively.
The products are cooled and about 90% of the hydrogen is compressed and recycled.
The main product is fractionated. The overhead product can be used as a fuel.
Some catalytic reforming systems continuously regenerate the catalyst while in other
systems one reactor at a time is taken off-stream for catalyst regeneration, Some
facilities regenerate catalysts from all of the reactors during shutdown.
5.1.9. Polymerization
This is the joining up of low molecular weight fractions to form high molecular
weight components. This process converts by-products hydrocarbon gases into
liquid hydrocarbons that are suitable for use as high octane number fuels and for
petrochemical industry. The combining molecules are usually unsaturated. Propylene
and iso-butylene are common olefns polymerised in the vapour phase in reactions
such as shown here:
5.1.10. Alkylation
Akylation was discussed in Unit 2 under unit processes. In the context of petroleum
processing, it is the combining of an olefn with an aromatic hydrocarbon. The process
is of relatively minor importance compared to the catalytic cracking and catalytic re-
forming processes. It is used mainly for converting gaseous hydrocarbons to gasoline
in the presence of an acid catalyst such as hydrogen fuoride or sulphuric acid. The
processes are usually exothermic and similar to polymerisation. An example is the
formation of 2,2-Dimethylbutane from ethylene and isobutane:
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''J
5.1.11. Treating/Sweetening drying
Treating is a means by which contaminants such as organic compounds containing
dissolved in emulsifed water are removed from petroleum fractions or streams. Swee-
tening, a major refnery treatment of gasoline, treats sulfur compounds (hydrogen
sulfde, thiophene and mercaptan) to improve colour, odour, and oxidation stability.
Sweetening also reduces concentrations of carbon dioxide.
Treating can be accomplished at an intermediate stage in the refning process, or
just before sending the fnished product to storage. Choices of a treating method
and end-product specifcations. Treating materials include acids, solvents, alkalis,
oxidizing, and adsorption agents.
oxygen compounds, resinous and asphaltic compounds. It is used to improve the
odour, colour, stability, carbon residue, and other properties of the oil. Clay/lime
treatment of acid-refned oil removes traces of asphaltic materials and other com-
pounds to improve product colour, odour, and stability. Caustic treating with sodium
(or potassium) hydroxide is used to improve odour and colour by removing organic
acids (naphthenic acids, phenols) and sulfur compounds (mercaptans, H
S) by a
caustic wash. By combining caustic soda solution with various solubility promoters
nitrogen compounds can be dissolved from petroleum fractions.
Drying is accomplished by the use of water absorption or adsorption agents to re-
move water from the products. Some processes simultaneously dry and sweeten by
adsorption on molecular sieves.
Sulfur Recovery
Sulfur recovery converts hydrogen sulfde in sour gases and hydrocarbon streams
to elemental sulfur. A typical process produces elemental sulfur by burning hydro-
gen sulfde under controlled conditions. The gases are then exposed to a catalyst to
recover additional sulfur. Sulfur vapor from burning and conversion is condensed
and recovered.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''4
Hydrogen Sulfde Scrubbing
Hydrogen sulfde scrubbing is a common treating process in which the hydrocarbon
feedstock is frst scrubbed to prevent catalyst poisoning. Hydrotreating for sulfur
removal is called hydrodesulfurization. In a typical catalytic hydrodesulfurization
unit, the feedstock is deaerated and mixed with hydrogen, preheated in a fred heater
(315-425C) and then charged under pressure (up to 1,000 psi) through a fxed-bed
are converted into H
S and NH
. The reaction products leave the reactor and after
pressure gas stream rich in H
S is sent to a gas treating unit where H
S is removed.
The clean gas is then suitable as fuel for the refnery furnaces. The liquid stream is the
S and other undesirable components. In cases where steam is used for stripping, the
are blended or used as catalytic reforming feedstock.
5.2. Petrochemical Industry
Petrochemicals are chemicals, other than fuels, derived from petroleum. These chemi-
cals include a large number of aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds of various
functional groups. Examples include benzene and it derivatives, methane, ethylene,
propylene, butene, toluene, and xylene and their derivatives.
We shall study the manufacture of two important petrochemicals, namely pthalic
anhydride and adipic acid.
5.2.1. Phthalic Anhydride Introduction
Phthalic anhydride (C
O) is a colourless solid which was frst reported in
1836. It is a precursor to a variety of industrial organic chemicals. Uses
Phthalic anhydride is a versatile intermediate in organic chemistry partly because it
is bifunctional and cheaply available. Most characteristically, it undergoes hydrolysis
and alcoholysis. Hydrolysis by hot water, forms ortho-phthalic acid. This process is
reversible with phthalic anhydride re-forming upon heating the acid above 180 C.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''5
The alcoholysis reaction is the basis of the manufacture of phthalate esters which
are widely used plasticizers. These are additives that give polymers more fexibility.
Reaction of phthalic anhydride with alcohols gives diesters as follows:
The second esterifcation is more diffcult and requires removal of water:

+ H
Two of the most important diesters bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEH) and dioctyl
phthalate (DOP) are used as plasticisers in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride.
Other major uses of phthalic anhydride are in polyester resins and (decreasingly)
in alkyd resins. Alkyd resins containing PA are used in solvent-borne protective
coatings. As paint technology increasingly utilises water-borne technologies, many
PA-based alkyds have lost out to alternative raw materials. Phthalic anhydride is
widely used in industry for the production of certain dyes such as the well-known
anthroquinone dye. Production Process
Phthalic anhydride was frst produced by the oxidation of naphthalene from coal in
concentrated sulphuric acid in the presence of mercury sulphate. This route was later
replaced by the catalytic vapour phase oxidation of naphthalene in air in the pres-
ence of a vanadium oxide catalyst. Today, naphthalene feedstock has been generally
superseded by the use of orthoxylene obtained from refneries and crackers. The com-
monly used catalyst is vanadium pentoxide with titanium dioxide-antimony trioxide.
Alternative catalysts include molybdenum trioxide and calcium oxide, or manganese
oxides. The respective reactions for the two feedstocks are as follows:
+ 4.5 O

O + 2 H
O + 2CO
+ 3 O

O + 3 H
=-1,127 kJ/mol
The process technology has changed little although yields have improved and cata-
lysts in current use have a longer life of three years. Another development has been
the lowering of the air to orthoxylene weight ratio to 9.5:1, down from about 20:1,
thus allowing a reduction in capital costs and energy savings.
In the orthoxylene-based process shown in Fig 5.4, the feedstock is vapourized and
mixed with air. The air-orthoxylene mixture is fed to a reactor with vertical tubes flled
with catalyst. The reaction takes place at 375-425
C and below 1 bar pressure.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''6

Fig 5.4 Process fow diagram for the manufacture of phthalic anhydride.
Temperature control is important because the main reaction and the side reactions
are exothermic. The reactor is cooled by recirculating a molten salt on the outside
of the tubes.
About 70% of xylene is converted to PA, 15 % is unconverted, 15% is oxidized into
maleic anhydride while the 1% balance forms a heavy impurity. The maleic anhydride
is formed by the following reaction:
+ 7.5 O

+ 4 H
O + 4CO

The gases from the reactor are cooled before entering a series of three switch
condensers which separates phthalic anhydride from the byproducts. Because of the
low partial pressure of phthalic anhydride in the stream, it desublimates rather than
condenses. Phthalic anhydride collects on the walls of the condensers as a solid. When
the load on the heat transfer surface reaches a certain level, gas fow is stopped and
higher temperature oil is circulated in the tubes to melt the solid. When one condenser
is on desublimation mode, the second is in the melting mode while the third is on
standby. Purifcation of the product is by vacuum distillation. A purifed product with
a purity of over 99.5 % phthalic anhydride is obtained. The product is stored either
in a molten state or bagged as fakes.

Salt cooler
Switch Condensers/
Desublimation/ Melting
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''7
5.2.2. Adipic Acid Introduction
Adipic acid, COOH-(CH
-COOH, is one of the most important commercially
available aliphatic dicarboxylic acids. The two -COOH groups can yield two kinds
of salts. Typically, it is a white crystalline solid,slightly soluble in water and soluble
in alcohol and acetone.
Its consumption and production is dominated by the United States. Of the 2.3 million
metric tons of adipic acid produced worldwide, about 42% is produced in the United
States which also consumes 62% of total production. Western Europe produces about
40%, Asia-Pacifc 13%, while the other regions account for the remaining 5%. Uses
Adipic acid consumption is linked almost 90% to nylon. Nylon is used for everyday
applications such as electrical connectors, cable tires, fshing lines, fabrics, carpeting,
and many other useful products. Technical grade adipic acid is used to make plasti-
cizers, unsaturated polyesters for production of rigid and fexible resins and foams,
wire coatings, elastomers, adhesives and lubricants. Food grade adipic acid is used
as a gelling aid, acidulant, leavening and buffering agent. Production Process
Almost all of the commercial adipic acid is produced from cyclohexane in a conti-
nuous process as shown in Fig. 5.5.
Cyclohexane is air-oxidize at a temperature of 150 - 160
C and about 8 to 10 atm in
the presence of a cobalt catalyst.
+ 2O

OH + C
The product is a cyclohexanol-cyclohexanone (ketone-alcohol, or KA) mixture. The
mixture is distilled to recover unconverted cyclohexane which is recycled to the
reactor feed. The resultant KA mixture may then be distilled for improved quality
before being sent to the nitric acid oxidation stage. This process yields 75 to 80 mole
percent KA, with a ketone to alcohol ratio of 1:2. The second step is the nitric acid
oxidation of the cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone (KA) mixture. The reaction proceeds
as follows:
OH + C
O + zHNO

O +yNO
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''8
50 to 60% nitric acid in the presence of a copper-vanadium catalyst is reacted with
the KA mixture in a reactor at 60

to 80
C and 0.1 to 0.4 MPa. Conversion yields of
92 to 96 percent are attainable when using high-purity KA feedstock. As the reaction
is highly exothermic, the heat of reaction is usually dissipated by maintaining a high
ratio (40:1) nitric acid to KA mixture.
Oxidation Distillation Refining
Drying and
Fig 5.5. Flow diagram for adipic acid manufacture

Upon reaction, nitric acid is reduced to nitrogen oxides: NO

, NO, N
O, and N
The dissolved oxides are stripped from the reaction product using air in a bleaching
column and subsequently recovered as nitric acid in an absorption tower. The N
O are released to the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides, entering the lower portion of
the absorber, fow countercurrent to a water stream, which enters near the top of the
absorber. Unabsorbed NO is vented from the top while diluted nitric acid is withdrawn
from the bottom of the absorber and recycled to the adipic acid process.
The stripped adipic acid/nitric acid solution is chilled and sent to a crystallizer, where
crystals of adipic acid are formed. The crystals are separated from the mother liquor
using a centrifuge and transported to the adipic acid drying and/or melting facilities.
The mother liquor is separated from the remaining uncrystallized adipic acid in the
product still and recycled to the reactors.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry ''9
5.3. The Polymer Industry
5.3.1. Introduction
Industrial use of polymers started when Goodyear discovered the vulcanization of
rubber in 1839. Polymer research rapidly spread throughout the world after 1930 and
this led to the development of many synthetic polymers including nylon, polyethylene
and polyvinyl chloride.
Polymers are high molecular weight compounds built up by the repetition of small
chemical units known as monomers. They are either natural or synthetic. The natural
polymers include rubber, cellulose, wool, starch and proteins.
and meros which means parts. A polymer is therefore a high molecular weight
compound made up of hundreds or thousands of many identical small basic units
(monomers) of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen or silicon atoms. The monomers are linked
together covalently in a chemical process known as polymerization. This is illustrated
in Fig 5.4.

Fig 5.4. A polymer chain
5.3.2. Classification of polymers
Polymers can be classifed into three types:
1. Linear polymers in which the repeating units are similar to the links in a very
long chain They are known as polymer chains. An example is polyethylene
2. Branched polymers in which some of the molecules are attached as side chains
to the linear chains. The individual molecules are still discrete.
3. Three-dimensional cross-linked polymers in which branched chains are joined
together by cross-linking in a process known as curing. Vulcanization of
rubber is a curing process.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '20
5.3.3. Polymer properties
Polymers have three main properties:
Molecular weight: The molecular weight of polymers is not fxed because of varying
chain length.
Crystallinity: Because of high molecular weight and varying chain length, most po-
lymers are amorphous and only semi-crystalline. Those with high crystallinity are
tougher, more opaque, more resistant to solvents, higher density and sharply defned
melting point.
Glass transition temperature: At low temperature, even amorphous polymers are hard
and brittle (glass-like). As temperature is increased, kinetic energy increases. Howe-
ver, motion is restricted to short-range vibrations and rotations as long as glass-like
structure is retained. At a certain temperature called the glass transition temperature,
a polymer loses glass-like properties. It becomes softer and more elastomeric but
it does not melt. If heating is continued further, the polymer will lose elastomeric
properties and melt to a fowable liquid.
5.3.4. Types of polymer products
A plastic is a material that contains as an essential ingredient, an organic substance
In practice, a plastic is usually considered to be an amorphous or crystalline polymer
which is hard and brittle at ordinary temperatures. If crystalline regions are present,
they are randomly oriented.
A thermoplastic material is one which can be softened and molded on heating. They
are elastic and fexible above a certain glass transition temperature. Nylon is a ther-
moplastic and it was the frst commercial polymer to be made as a substitute for silk
for making parachutes, vehicle tires, garments and many other products. Current uses
include: fabrics, footwear, fshnets and carpets to mention but a few. The two special
grades of Nylon are Nylon 6-6 and Nylon 6. Other thermoplastic materials and their
uses are given in Table 5.2
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '2'
Table 5.2. Uses of various thermoplastic materials
Plastic type Uses
Low density polyethylene (LDPE Packaging flms, wire and cable
insulation, toys, fexible bottles, hou-
High density polyethylene (HDPE) Bottles, drums, pipes, flms, sheets,
wire and cable insulation
Polypropylene PP Automobile and appliances parts,
furniture, cordage, carpets, flm
Polyvinyl chloride PVC Construction, rigid pipes, fooring,
wire and cable insulation, flm and
Polystyrene Packaging (foam and flm), foam,
insulation, insulation, appliances,
Thermosetting plastics
A thermosetting material is one which involves considerable crosslinking, so that the
fnished plastic cannot be made to fow or melt. Thermosetting plastics (thermosets)
are polymer materials that cure or are made strong by addition of elements (e.g. sul-
phur) or addition of energy in form of heat (normally above 200
C) through some
chemical reaction. Before curing process, they are usually in liquid form, powder or
malleable forms that can be moulded to a fnal form or used as adhesives. The curing
process transforms these materials into plastic or rubber through a cross linking pro-
cess. The cross links produce a three dimensional rigid structure of the material with
large molecular weight and a high melting point. The three dimensional network of
bonds in thermosets generally makes them much stronger than thermoplastics. This
makes them suitable for high temperature applications up to the decomposition tem-
perature of the material. A thermoset material cannot be melted and reshaped after
forming and curing and therefore cannot be recycled unlike thermoplastics. Examples
of thermosets include: polyester resin, vulcanized rubber, bakelite and epoxy resin.
Table 5.3. gives uses of various thermosetting plastics.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '22
Table 5.3. Principal thermosetting plastics
Thermosetting plastic Uses
Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) Electrical and electronic equipment,
automobile parts, utensils, handles,
plywood adhesives, particle board
Urea-formaldehyde (UF) Similar to PF, textile treatment, coating
Unsaturated polyester (UP) Construction, automobile parts, marine
Epoxy Protective coating, adhesives, electri-
cal and electronics, industrial fooring,
material composites
Melamine-formaldehyde (MF) Similar to UF, decorative panels, coun-
ter and table tops, dinnerware
In the fabrication of plastic objects, additives such as colourants, fllers, plasticizers,
lubricants and stabilizers are commonly added to modify the physical and mechanical
properties of the material.
An elastomer (or rubber) is a word having its origin from two words: elastic which
means the ability to return to original shape when a force or stress is removed and
mero which means parts implying many parts or monomers. Therefore, an es-
sential requirement of an elastomer is that it must be elastic i.e. it must stretch rapidly
under tension to several times its original length with little loss of energy as heat.
Industrial elastomers have high tensile strength and high modulus of elasticity. They
are amorphous polymers with considerable cross-linkages. The covalent cross-linka-
ges make the elastomer to return to its original structure or shape when the stress is
removed. Without cross-linkages or with short chains, the applied force would result
in a permanent deformation.
They are usually thermosets that require vulcanization, but there are some which are
thermoplastic. Elastomers include:
Nitrile rubber
Butyl rubber
Silicone rubber
Polyurethane rubber
Polysulphide rubber
Poly butadiene
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '2J
The heated glue-pot which traditionally contained glues based on animal products
such as hoof, horn and fsh residues has been replaced by adhesives based on synthetic
polymers. There is now a wide range of adhesives and sealants suited to a variety of
tasks from polyvinyl acetate (PVA) wood, board and paper glues to two-part epoxide
resins for rivet-less bonding of metal panels.
Animal fbres, such as wool or silk, and vegetable fbres, such as cotton, continue to be
used although there is a wealth of synthetic fbres such as cellulose acetate and nylon,
acrylic and polyester. Carbon fbres for making advanced composites are produced
by heat treatment of polyacrylonitrile and other synthetic fbres.
Animal membranes were the only non-metallic flm forming materials used before
the availability of rubber and these found little application. The successful develo-
pment of a drum for casting flms from viscose led in the 1920s to the production
of Cellophane- still a widely used material. In the 1930s, unsupported PVC flms
were manufactured but it was not until polyethylene was available in the 1940s that
the production of flms for bagging materials became commonplace.
Surface fnishes
The paint industry was traditionally based on naturally occurring drying oils such
as linseed but since the 1930s these have gradually been replaced by synthetic poly-
mers. Because of toxicity problems from using paints based on solvents, many more
fnishes are now water-based polymer emulsions.
5.3.5. Polyethylene Introduction
There are three major classes of polyethylene. These are low density polyethylene
(LLDPE). Pellets of these plastics are extruded and blown to produce flm. This flm
is used for packaging and making plastic bags.
Ethylene is derived from either modifying natural gas (a methane, ethane, propane
mix) or from the catalytic cracking of crude oil. In a highly purifed form, it is piped
directly from the refnery to a separate polymerization plant. Here, under the right
conditions of temperature, pressure and catalysis, the double bond of the ethylene
monomer opens up and many monomers link up to form polyethylene. In commer-
cial polyethylene, the number of monomer repeat units ranges from 1000 to 10 000.
Molecular weight ranges from 28,000 to 28,0000.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '24 The Polyethylene Manufacturing Process
Today, polyethylene manufacturing processes are usually categorized into high pres-
sure and low pressure operations. The former is generally recognized as producing
conventional low density polyethylene (LDPE) while the latter makes high density
(HDPE) and linear low density (LLDPE) polyethylenes. The difference between these
polyethylene processes and types is outlined below.
High pressure
Polyethylene was frst produced by the high pressure process by ICI, Britain, in the
1930s. They discovered that ethylene gas could be converted into a white solid by
heating it at very high pressures in the presence of minute quantities of oxygen:
Ethylene + 10 ppm oxygen 1000 - 3000 bar polyethylene
80 - 300
The polymerization reaction which occurs is a random one, producing a wide dis-
tribution of molecule sizes. By controlling the reaction conditions, it is possible to
select the average molecule size (or molecule weight) and the distribution of sizes
around this average (molecular weight distribution). The chains are highly branched
(at intervals of 20 50 carbons).
ICI named their new plastic polythene and found that they were able to produce it
in a density range of about 0.915 to 0.930g cm
. It is known today as LDPE and has
its single biggest usage in blown flm.
Reactor High
Extruder /
Fig. 5.5 High pressure process for the manufacture of polyethylene (LDPE)
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '25
Low pressure
The initial discovery of LDPE was an accident. So was the discovery of HDPE in
1952. Researchers in Germany and Italy had succeeded in making a new aluminium
based catalyst which permitted the polymerization of ethylene at much lower pres-
sures than the ICI process:
Ethylene 10 - 80 bar polyethylene

70 - 300
C, Al catalyst
The product from this process was found to be much stiffer than previous products
and had a density range of about 0.940 - 0.970g cm
. The increased stiffness and
density were found to be due to a much lower level of chain branching. The new
HDPE was found to be composed of very straight chains of ethylene with a much
narrower distribution of molecular weights (or chain lengths) and a potentially very
high average chain length.
In the late 1950s, DuPont Canada frst applied the low pressure process to the pro-
duction of LLDPE. LLDPE is made by copolymerizing of ethylene with a small
amount of another monomer, typically butene, hexene or octene.
The most common method used in industry is to polymerize ethylene by means of
a fuidized reactor bed. A fuidized reactor bed consists of metallic catalyst particles
that are fuidized by the fow of ethylene gas. This means that the catalyst particles
are suspended in the ethylene fuid as ethylene gas is pumped from the bottom of the
reactor bed to the top.
Before the late 1970s an organic peroxide catalyst was employed to initiate poly-
merization. However, because the organic peroxide catalyst is not as active as the
metallic catalyst, pressures in excess of 100 times the pressure required with metallic
catalysts were necessary.
Before ethylene is sent to the fuidized bed, it must frst be compressed and heated.
Pressures in the range of 100-300 pounds per square inch (psi) and a temperature of
C are necessary for the reaction to proceed at a reasonable rate. The catalyst is
also pumped with the ethylene stream into the reactor. This is because polyethylene
molecules remain stuck to the catalyst particle from which they were produced thus
incorporating the catalyst within the polyethylene product. Hence the need to reple-
nish the consumed catalyst
The conversion of ethylene is low for a single pass through the reactor and it is ne-
cessary to recycle the unreacted ethylene. Unreacted ethylene gas is removed off the
top of the reactor. After purifcation, ethylene gas is then recompressed and recycled
back into the reactor. Granular polyethylene is gradually removed from the bottom
of the reactor as soon as reasonable conversions have been achieved. Typically, a
residence time of 3 to 5 hours results in a 97% conversion of ethylene.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '26
Polyethylene comes out of the reactor as granular powder, which is then melted and
fows through a flm extruder.
Compressor Compressor
Fluid bed
Fig 5.6. Low pressure process for manufacture of HDPE
Whatever the type of polyethylene produced, the end product is usually available in
the form of small pellets, varying in shape (spherical, rectangular, cylindrical) de-
pending upon the manufacturers equipment. During the manufacture of polythene
products, it is melted to fow through a flm extruder.
LDPE is the preferred packaging material due to its limp feel, transparency, toughness,
and the ability to rapidly take up the shape of the contents of the bag. The garbage
bag is just one of many widely practical uses of plastic bags.
Polyethylene flm, produced by blown flm extrusion, is commonly used for packa-
ging of foodstuffs and other products. The thickness of the flm produced tends to
be from 20 - 200 m.
5.3.6. Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Introduction
Emulsion polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (E-SBR) is one of the most widely
used polymers in the world today. Emulsion SBR is employed in many demanding
applications, which enhance the quality of life and contribute signifcantly to our
economy and standards of living.
In the 1930s, the frst emulsion polymerized SBR known as Buna S was prepared
by I. G. Farbenindustrie in Germany. The U. S. Government in 1940 established the
Rubber Reserve Company to start a stockpile of natural rubber and a synthetic rubber
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '27
program. These programs were expanded when the United States entered World War
II. The synthetic rubber efforts were initially focused on a hot polymerized (41 C)
Production of a 23.5% styrene and 76.5% butadiene copolymer began in 1942. Cold
polymerized E-SBR (5C), that has signifcantly better physical properties than hot
polymerized SBR, was developed in 1947. Uses
SBR is widely used for rubber belting, hose, fooring, molded goods, rubber soles,
coated fabrics etc. It is compatible with natural rubber and has equal performance for
automobile tyres. But it is inferior to natural rubber for heavy duty truck tyres. Manufacturing Process
SBR is produced by the copolymerization of butadiene with styrene in the approxi-
mate proportion of 3:1 by weight.
In the emulsion process, which produces general purpose grades, the feedstocks are
and a stabiliser. A continuous process is employed.
The emulsion polymerization process has several advantages. It is normally used
under mild reaction conditions that are tolerant to water and requires only the absence
of oxygen.
The process is relatively robust to impurities and amenable to using a range of mo-
nomers. Additional benefts include the fact that emulsion polymerization gives high
solids contents with low reaction viscosity and is a cost-effective process. The physical
state of the emulsion (colloidal) system makes it easy to control the process. Thermal
and viscosity problems are much less signifcant than in bulk polymerization.
Table 5.4 shows the raw materials required in the polymerization of E-SBR, They
include the monomers styrene and butadiene, water, emulsifer, initiator system, mo-
difer, shortstop and a stabilizer system. The original polymerization reactions were
charged out in batch reactors in which all the ingredients were loaded to the reactor
and the reaction was shortstopped after it had reached the desired conversion. Current
commercial productions are run continuously by feeding reactants and polymerizing
through a chain of reactors before shortstopping at the desired monomers conversion.
The monomers are continuously metered into the reactor chains and emulsifed with
the emulsifers and catalyst agents.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '28
In cold polymerization, the most widely used initiator system is the redox reaction
between chelated iron and organic peroxide using sodium formaldehyde sulfoxide
(SFS) as reducing agent as shown in the following reactions.
In hot polymerization, potassium peroxydisulfate is used as an initiator.
Mercaptan is added to furnish free radicals and to control the molecular weight distri-
bution by terminating existing growing chains while initiating a new chain. The thiol
group acts as a chain transfer agent to prevent the molecular weight from attaining
the excessively high values possible in emulsion systems. The sulfur-hydrogen bond
in the thiol group is extremely susceptible to attack by the growing polymer radical
and thus loses a hydrogen atom by reacting with polymer radicals as shown below.
The RS formed will continue to initiate the growth of a new chain. The thiol prevents
gel formation and improves the processability of the rubber.
+ RSH P-H + RS

+ M RS-M

Table 5.4. Typical Recipe for SBR Emulsion Polymerization
Component Parts by Weight
Cold HOT
Styrene 25 25
Butadiene 75 70
Water 180 180
Emulsifer (FA,RA, MA) 5 5
Dodecyl mercaptan 0.2 0.8
Cumene hydroperoxide 0.17 -
0.017 -
EDTA 0.06 -
Na4P2O7.10H2O 1.5 -
Potassuim persulfate 0.3
SFS 0.1
Stabilizer varies
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '29
During polymerization, parameters such as temperature, fow rate and agitation are
controlled to get the right conversion. Polymerization is normally allowed to proceed
to about 60% conversion in cold polymerization and 70% in hot polymerization
before it is stopped with a shortstop agent that reacts rapidly with the free radicals.
Some of the common shortstopping agents are sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate and
diethyl hydroxylamine.
Once the latex is properly shortstopped, the unreacted monomers are stripped off the
latex. Butadiene is stripped by degassing the latex by means of fash distillation and
reduction of system pressure. Syrene is removed by steam stripping the latex in a
column. The latex is then stabilized with the appropriate antioxidant and transferred
to blend tanks. In the case of oil-extended polymers or carbon black masterbatches,
these materials are added as dispersions to the stripped latex. The latex is then trans-
ferred to fnishing lines to be coagulated with sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid/sodium
chloride, glue/sulfuric acid, aluminum sulfate, or amine coagulation aid. The type
of coagulation system is selected depending on the end-use of the product. Sulfuric
acid/sodium chloride is used for general purpose. Glue/sulfuric acid is used for elec-
trical grade and low water sensitivity SBR. Sulfuric acid is used for coagulations
where low-ash-polymer is required. Amine coagulating aids are used to improve
coagulation effciency and reduce production plant pollution. The coagulated crumb
is then washed, dewatered, dried, baled and packaged.
Formative Evaluation
1. From what you have read about crude oil and natural, what is the composition
(i) Crude oil
(ii) Commercial natural gas
(iii) LPG?
2. Explain how petroleum refning has evolved over the years as product speci-
fcations changed.
3. Why is sulphur undesirable in fuel and how is it removed by hydrodesulphu-
4. Write short notes on
(i) cracking
(ii) reforming
5. From internet search and / or other resources:
(i) Write equations that show how phthalic anhydride is used in the manu-
facture of alkyd resins.
(ii) fnd a paint formulation that contain an alkyd resin.
6. Write all the equations using the structural formula of the main raw materials
and products for the main reactions that take place during the manufacture of
phthalic anydride and adipic acid.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J0
7. Name 10 materials that you use daily which are made of synthetic organic
8. Vinyl chloride undergoes copolymerization with 1,1-dichloroethylene to form
a polymer, commercially known as Saran. Write equations for this polymeri-
9. Using the format used for the learning of polyethylene and styrenebutadiene
rubber, write 3-5 page paper on polyvinyl chloride.
10. Discuss briefy the environmental effects of plastic products
Field work (Optional)
There are number of industries engaged in the manufacture of polymers such as
polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and paint resins. Your Centre will
assist you to visit some of these industries. Once the visits have been arranged, read
in advance about the processes. During the visit you will identify the raw materials
used including their trade names. Observe their physical appearances / properties and
also the production processes. Ask questions that will lead your factory guide to give
you more relevant information. Later you will describe the production processes as
far as possible using fow diagrams and chemical equations.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J'
Activity 6
Organic Chemical Industries Part Ii: Fermentation Industries,
Pharmaceuticals, Soaps And Detergents
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
that affect fermentation yield
b. Describe the process of manufacuring fermentation ethanol
d. Describe production processes of two pharmaceuticals: penicilin and aspi-
e. Outline the soap manufacturing process
f. Discuss the various types of surfactants
g. Explain how detergents are manufactured
Summary of Learning Activity
In this unit, you will learn how microorganisms under certain optimum conditions
are exploited commercially to produce chemical products. You will learn about the
production of ethanol and pencillin by fermentation followed by purifcation of the
producs by distillation and solvent extraction respectively. You will also learn how
aspirin is produced synthetically. The study of soaps and detergents is covered in the
last section of this unit.
List of relevant reading
edn. McGraw-
Hill International Edition. Chemical Engineering Series. Singapore.
Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York
McGraw-Hill Book Company, New Delhi.
4. Underkoffer L.A, Hickey R.J. (1954) Industrial Fermentation Vol. I, Chemical
Publishing Co. Inc. New York.
mistry Vol A8, 5
Edition, VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J2
List of relevant resources
Computer with internet facility to access links and relevant copywrite free
CD-Rom accompanying this module for compulsory reading and demonstra-
Multimedia resources like video, VCD and CD players
List of useful relevant links
These sites present information on fermentation, antibiotics, penicillin production
soap and detergents manufacture respectively in an interesting way.
6.1. Fermentation
6.1.1. Introduction
action of micro-organisms or by means of enzymes. When micro-organisms are used,
they produce enzymes in-situ which then catalyse fermentation reactions.
Industrial fermentations are therefore classifed into two:
Microbial fermentations promoted by micro-organisms. Micro-organisms include
bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. During microbial fermentation, a raw organic
feed is converted into a product by the action of micro-organisms. At frst the rate of
conversion of raw materials to products is low because the micro-organisms are few
i.e. the catalytic agent is small. As more micro-organisms are formed, the rate starts
to rise. The rate then reaches a maximum when there is optimum ratio of unconverted
material and the micro-organisms. The rate then drops as the raw material becomes
depleted. Finally the rate stops when the raw material is fnished.
It is important to note that micro-organisms are able to catalyze many types of reac-
tions. Therefore a microbial fermentation results in more than one product and this
makes purifcation essential.
Enzymatic fermentations catalyzed by enzymes. Enzymes are proteins which occur in
nature in micro-organisms, animal organs and vegetable extracts. They are biocatalysts
which bring about specifc biochemical reactions without their structure or quantity
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'JJ
being changed. Their activity depends on temperature, pH, storage time and storage
conditions. Because of their specifty, only one product is produced from a selected
enzyme and therefore, purifcation is less expensive than for microbial fermentation.
However, enzymes are more expensive than micro-organisms.
We shall concentrate on microbial fermentation.
6.1.2. Economic considerations
For microbial fermentation route to be economically attractive for a given product:
(a) There must be a microorganism that will form that product.
(b) The microorganism must be readily propagated to give consistent yield and
(c) Raw materials must be available cheaply in uniform composition.
(d) The yields must be economically acceptable.
(e) Product recovery and purifcation should be easy.
6.1.3. Factors that affect fermentation yield
First, it is important to appreciate that conditions that achieve maximum cell mass
may not necessarily be those that give maximum yield of some product of metabo-
lism. It may sometimes be necessary to semi-starve the micro-organisms to obtain
optimum yield of products. However, it is necessary to grow suffcient cell mass to
catalyze the fermentation process.
In most fermentations, the following are the factors that affect product yield.
Inoculum amount, i.e., the initial amount of cells fed into the fermenter, will
determine whether the cells are suffcient or not to fuel production.
Initial level of contamination brought in by the raw materials or found in
equipment and pipelines. The contaminating microorganism will feed on the
raw materials and produce other products. Equipment and substrate should
therefore be sterilized before inoculation. It is important that sterile conditions
be maintained throughout the manufacturing process, because contamination
by foreign microbes will ruin the fermentation.
pH level will determine whether contaminants will multiply or will be re-
pressed. Products of microbial metabolism often cause major shifts in pH,
hence to maintain rapid growth, the pH must be kept close to the optimum
for the particular organism. For most micro-organisms, optimal pH is 7.
But some tolerate low pH. For example, yeast grow best at 4 to 5 pH. It is
important to exploit pH tolerance of micro-organisms. Acid by-products may
be neutralized by adding ammonia, calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide
taking into consideration the chemistry of the product being formed by the
fermentation process.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J4
Temperature affects the activity of the micro-organisms. The best temperature
for culturing the micro-organism varies with the species. Micro-organisms
naturally occurring in soil, air or water usually grow best at 25 to 30
C while
those isolated from animals grow best at 37
C. Micro-organisms whose growth
is favoured by low temperatures are referred to as mesophilic. Those that grow
better at higher temperatures (thermophilic) offer a technical advantage in that
the growth of contaminants is inhibited. It is important to study temperature
tolerance of micro-organisms. Since heat is produced during fermentation,
temperature control is necessary to maintain optimum activity of micro-or-
Product concentration may increase to a level that inhibits the activity of
The initial concentration of the raw material (substrate), for example sugar
may be too high and therefore adversely affect the micro-organisms.
Micro-organisms vary in their need for oxygen. Fungi, algae and a few bacteria
are aerobic while a few bacteria are anaerobic. For those which are aerobic,
a too low oxygen level leads to poisoning of fermentation while too high
oxygen content causes excessive growth of micro-organisms at the expense
of the product. The level of nutrients in the substrate may not be suffcient
to give a fast fermentation rate. Nutrients include energy sources such as
starch or sugar. The cell mass is 50% carbon, therefore, carbon sources such
as starch, sugar and carbon dioxide are required. The cell mass also contains
10% nitrogen. Nitrogen sources include ammonia, ammonium salts such as
diammonium phosphate (DAP), amino acids and vitamins. Minerals including
phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, magnesium, traces of iron, copper, cobalt,
manganese, zinc and molybdenum are added as water-soluble salts.
6.1.4. Media Sterilization
It is important to maintain sterile conditions during fermentation in order to avoid
low yield and loss of culture. Sterilization may be carried out in either batch or
continuous mode.
The following methods may be used in the case of batch sterilization.
1. Purging steam into the medium until the desired temperature is reached.
2. Using an electric element to heat the medium
3. Using a jacketed vessel. Steam can be passed through the jacket to raise the
temperature during sterilization. Cooling water through the jacket brings down
the temperature to that optimum for fermentation.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J5
6.1.5. Air Sterilization
There are very many airborne micro-organisms of various sizes. Some of these are
adsorbed in airbone dust and can be easily removed from the air along with larger
particles by using air flters. In the laboratory, cotton plugs are satisfactory. In pilot
plant and small-scale fermenters, small fbrous flters may be used. For large industrial
fermenters, heat may be used to sterilize air. An air compressor can be used to raise
temperature to a level which is lethal to microbes.
6.1.6. Fermentation Process
Culture Preservation
A preserved high yielding micro-organism strain is a prerequisite of any good fer-
mentation process. The preserved culture is a valuable asset and as little as possible
should be used to initiate the process. Generally this preserved stock is in the form
of inert spores.
Scale Up
Scale up is an important part of many cell driven processes. For some fermentations,
it is essential to amplify the starting inoculum through a series of ever increasing
volumes until enough material exists to inoculate the production system. In bacterial
and yeast systems where vigorous growth is anticipated, scale up to an initial:fnal
inoculum ratio of 1:20 to 1:100 are common.
microorganisms. They are flled with all the things the specifc microorganism would
need to survive and thrive, including warm water and carbohydrate foods like lac-
tose or glucose sugars. Additionally, they contain other necessary carbon sources,
such as acetic acid, alcohols, or hydrocarbons, and nitrogen sources like ammonium
salts. Growth factors like vitamins, amino acids, and minor nutrients complete the
composition of the seed tank contents. The seed tanks are equipped with mixers,
which keep the growth medium moving, and a pump to deliver sterilized, fltered air.
fermentation tanks.
The fermentation tank is essentially a larger version of the steel, seed tank. It is flled
conducive to growth. Here the microorganisms are allowed to grow and multiply.
During this process, they excrete large quantities of the desired product. The tanks are
cooled to maintain the right temperature. The fermentation tank is constantly agitated,
and a continuous stream of sterilized air is pumped into it. Anti-foaming agents are
periodically added to inhibit foaming. Acids or bases are added to control pH to the
level which is optimal for the growth of the microorganism.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J6
The fermenter is the heart of any fermentation process. The design of fermentation
equipment and the operation of the fermentation process must ensure the process is
contamination free, and in the case of pathogens, they must be contained with high
degree of safety. Most production fermenters are made of stainless steel construction
with impellers for good bulk liquid mixing characteristics to ensure homogeneity
within the vessel. Air is sparged into the vessel below the bottom impeller. Fermen-
ters produce heat through dispersion of kinetic energy and metabolism, therefore the
vessel must have a cooling system.
Aseptic operation at prolonged time periods demands that pipelines transporting sterile
air, seed and other materials required for the fermentation be sterilized by exposure
to steam, usually at 120
C for 20 to 30 minutes. Below is a schematic diagram of a
typical fermenter.
Fig 6.1. Fermentation vessel
6.1.7. Product Recovery and Purification
Recovery and purifcation of fermentation products can be more diffcult and expen-
sive than the fermentation step itself. Certain products are contained inside the cells
and are not released or are only partially released to the medium. It may be possible
or necessary to wash the cells to remove impurities before breaking them to get the
product. Some cells have high resistance to shear and require specialized equipment
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J7
to rupture them. Ultrasonic vibrations, grinding in mills and high pressure can be
used to rupture cells.
Centrifuges and rotary-drum fltering are commonly used in the separation of the
cells from the broth. Products in the broth may be recovered by a variety of unit
operations among them distillation, extraction with salts and solvents, membrane
ultra fltration, precipitation and chromatography.
6.2. Manufacture of Fermentation Ethanol
6.2.1 Introduction
Production of ethanol by fermentation for beverage purposes has been carried out
from time immemorial. Just before World War II, fermentation of molasses accoun-
ted for about 72% of ethanol production. During the early 1970s, only less than
10% was being produced by fermentation, the rest being produced by esterifcation-
hydrolysis and the direct hydration of ethylene. After the energy crisis of the late
1970s, fermentation ethanol grew into prominence as a renewable alternative energy
to gasoline. Many countries developed alcohol programs, the most ambitious being
that of Brazil.
6.2.2. Raw Materials
Biomass raw materials include those containing sugar, starch and cellulose. The
sugar-containing raw materials include sugar cane, sweet sorghum, sweet potatoes,
sugar beet and molasses. These materials contain disaccharides which are easily
hydrolysed by water to reducing sugar (glucose and fructose) in equations similar
to the following:
+ H
+ C

Sucrose glucose fructose
Viable starch-containing materials include cassava (tapioca), maize and potatoes.
Prior to fermentation, the starch is hydrolysed to polysaccharides and then saccha-
rifed to glucose.
Cellulose contains complex carbohydrates that require heat and enzymatic treatment
to extract fermentable polysaccharides. Cellulosic raw materials include straw and
The micro-organisms mostly employed in alcoholic fermentation are yeasts. Glucose
is fermented into alcohol according to the following equation:
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J8
yeast 2C
OH + 2CO

Several viable yeast strains exist but the most commonly used strain is saccharomyces
cerevesie. These yeasts produce enzymes that catalyze the reaction that converts
substrate into energy for the yeast and ethanol. During reproduction, the fermenta-
tion yeast produces enough enzymes needed for the alcoholic fermentation. These
enzymes will continue fermenting far beyond the yeasts need for energy and even
long after reproduction has stopped. This is the fact that is exploited industrially.
6.2.3. Production Process Using Starch Raw Materials
Enzymatic hydrolysis of carbohydrates
Ground raw material is heated to about 55
C. Starch liquefying enzymes which are
either bacterial or fungal -amylase, are added. The starch is then heated to about
C. When starch is heated, viscosity increases drastically due to gelatinisation. The
enzymes assisted by mechanical agitation attack the gelatinized long starch molecu-
les forming water-soluble dextrins. This results into an instant fall in viscosity. This
process is called liquefaction or hydrolysis.
The dextrin mash is then diluted with water and cooled to 55
C. A second enzyme,
glucoamylase is added to hydrolyse dextrins into glucose.
Fermentation can be carried out either batch or continuously.
Batch fermentation is the simplest and most commonly used especially for small
alcohol plants.The yeast inoculum is prepared in a 10-20% solution in sterilized
water and added to the mixture of substrate and nutrients in the fermentation vessel.
After addition of the inoculum, the yeast cells constitute about 2 to 4% by weight in
the fermentation mash. The inoculum size greatly affects fermentation time. With
1% yeast, fermentation may take as long as 70 hours while fermentation may go to
completion within 10 hours using 4% yeast.
At the end of fermentation, about 80% of the yeast may be recovered by centrifugation
or settling for use in the next fermentation batch. The balance may be compressed
into animal feed.
Fermentation conditions
Yeast metabolism is inhibited by a concentration of sugar higher than 20%. Typical
substrate concentrations are in the range of 10-14%w/v. Some of the raw materials
used, namely barley, wheat, rye and molasses have enough nutrients to give effcient
fermentation. But small amounts of nutrient sources such as ammonium phosphate,
ammonium sulphate or urea are added such that nitrogen content is about 0.6g/l of
the fermentation mash.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry 'J9
For most yeasts, activity is highest at 29-32
C. Heat is released during fermentation
and cooling coils and jackets are installed in the most conventional fermentation
equipment. The temperature range between 29 and 32
C is ideal for yeast growth.
The principal microbial contaminants in a distillery are lactic acid formers whose
development is severely suppressed at pH values below 5. The pH is normally
adjusted at 4.8 to 5 with sulphuric acid or the acidic media. If starch raw materials
are used and dextrinization is not complete, the -amylase may be inactivated at pH
values below 4.
Lack of enough oxygen reduces the viability of the yeast. Too low oxygen causes
the production of an enzyme known as diastase which has adverse effects on fermen-
tation. Too high causes yeast growth. About 13% dissolved oxygen concentration
increases the percentage of cell survival and 0.07mm Hg oxygen tension is optimum
with 20% glucose feed.
Fermentation rate decreases with increased alcohol concentration. It is therefore
important to dilute raw materials (cane juice, sugar, molasses) to a concentration that
will give an optimum concentration of alcohol.
Ethanol distillation processes depend on the quantity of beer handled, the purity of
the product required and the degree of heat economy being exercised.
Conventional processes consist of at least two distillation columns as shown in Fig
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '40
Fig. 6.2 Ethanol distillation
In the beer or stripping column, the alcohol is stripped from the beer and concentrated
to about 50 to 60 %v/v. The beer may be pre-heated by the hot stillage coming from
the bottom of the column.
In the rectifying column, the alcohol is concentrated to about 95 to 96,5 % v/v. It is
withdrawn near the top. The vapours at the top which consist of volatile components
such as aldehydes are condensed and some returned as refux. Fusel oil which contains
among others amyl alcohol, is withdrawn from the lower part of the column.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '4'
6.3. Pharmaceutical Industry
6.3.1. Introduction
The pharmaceutical industry manufactures drugs. The term drug refers to an article
intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, alleviation, treatment or prevention of diseases
in humans and animals.
In the ancient times a large part of medicinal products used were natural products
mostly derived from plants. In subsequent centuries, it was agreed that such products
must be pure for effective utilization as pharmaceutical products.
Pharmaceuticals are produced either synthetically or biosynthetically. Fermentation
has long been used to manufacture most of the important drug classes such as antibio-
tics, vitamins and hormones. Micro-organisms growing under controlled fermentation
conditions perform complex chemical transformations to produce products more eco-
nomically than by purely chemical conversions. For example the structural changes
to make a derivative of natural steroid hormones are complicated and would be more
costly if purely chemical conversions were to be employed. Modern research in phar-
maceutical products has resulted in pure synthetic chemicals overtaking many of the
old drugs extracted from natural products. Both biosynthesis and chemical synthesis
are competitive in the production of products such as ribofavin and chloramphenicol.
However, certain drugs such as morphine and codeine extracted from plants still
remain important since no synthetic substitutes have been fully accepted.
The modern pharmaceutical industry traces its origin in the 19
century with wholesale
production of drugs such as morphine and quinine and the establishment of research
labs by dye and chemical companies who discovered medical applications for their
products. This was followed by the emergence of pharmaceutical chemistry and
pharmacology as scientifc felds at the end of the 19th century.
The complexity of the chemical structure of many medicines perhaps has a direct
relationship to the even greater complexity of the sicknesses in humans and animal
bodies. Extensive research process and clinical tests on safety and effcacy are fol-
lowed before drugs are let into the market. The drugs reach patients through the
prescriptions of physicians.
With great emphasis placed on purity of pharmaceutical products, modern phar-
maceutical industry devotes much of its effort on the separation and purifcation of
individual products extracted from plants and animals using methods that are sensitive
to time, temperature and acidity.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '42
6.3.2. Antibiotics
harmful microorganisms. They are derived from special microorganisms or other li-
ving systems, and are produced on an industrial scale using a fermentation process.
The great medical advantage of antibiotics in healing infections is that the purifed
they must act on some aspect of the growth of micro-organisms which differs from
ordinary mammalian cells. Antibiotics are either bactericidal or bacteriostatic. They
kill bacteria or inhibit bacterial growth respectively. Antibiotics work by stopping
bacterial enzymes that control cell-wall creation and activating other enzymes that
break apart the bacteriums defenses. Without the protection of the outer wall the
bacteria die due to osmotic damage.
by interfering with the bacterias metabolism. Some antibiotics such as tetracycline
and erythromycin interfere with protein synthesis. Still other antibiotics, such as
sulfonamide or trimethoprim have a general blocking effect on cell metabolism.
The development and use of antibiotics have had a tremendous impact on human
health. Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis was a serious disease
until the advent of streptomycin. Syphilis and bacterial dysentery are now only
encountered rarely. Average life expectancy in the world has increased due to anti-
biotics. Infant mortality has dropped. In addition to these and other medical benefts,
antibiotics help to stabilise food supply by controlling animal, fsh and plant diseases
therefore leading to higher agricultural productivity.
with basic research designed to identify organisms, which produce antibiotic com-
pounds. During this phase, thousands of species are screened for any sign of anti-
bacterial action. When one is found, the species is tested against a variety of known
so the compound responsible for the antibiotic effect can be isolated. The antibiotic
must them be approved as a new drug. This whole process can take many years.
Antibiotic products can take on many different forms. They can be sold in solutions for
intravenous bags or syringes, in pill or gel capsule form, or they may be sold as pow-
ders, which are incorporated into topical ointments. Sterile packaging is essential.
Antibiotic production is highly regulated by national authorities with regard to ef-
fectiveness and purity. For example, the FDA requires that for certain antibiotics each
batch must be checked by them and only after they have certifed the batch can it be
sold for general consumption.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '4J
6.4. Penicillin
6.4.1. Introduction
Penicillin was discovered by bacteriologist Alexander Fleming in 1928. He observed
and that colonies of bacteria adjacent to the mold were being dissolved. The mold
(microorganism) is known as Penicillium chrysogenum Curious, Alexander Flem-
ing grew the mold in a pure culture and found that it produced a substance which
he named penicillin, that killed a number of disease-causing bacteria. It has become
the most outstanding drug ever discovered for the treatment of infections. Common
bacteria that are susceptible to penicillin are: those that cause throat infections, i.e.
strep, and other dangerous illnesses like: pneumonia, spinal meningitis, gas gangrene,
diphtheria, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
In addition to its high order of activity, penicillin is nontoxic. Its main bad feature
is that about 5% of those receiving the drug suffer from some degree of allergic
All penicillin type antibiotics operate by inhibiting the production of cell walls
e.g. interfering with bacterial protein synthesis.
Penicillin is a generic name referring to a class of compounds with the formula
shown below.

by chemical methods, it is not economic to do so. The production process still re-
lies on fungal fermentation based on biological principles, although modern strains
screening programmes involving isolates from different sources, and treatment to
encourage mutations.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '44
There are two classes of penicillin. One is the biosynthetic or natural penicillin which
is harvested from the mold itself through fermentation. A number of penicillins which
differ only in the composition of the R group have been isolated from natural products.
Depending on the formula of R, the penicillins are qualifed as F, G, K, or X. The
R group can be altered by introducing an appropriate precursor in the fermentation.
For example to produce benzyl penicillin, the precursor phenyacetic acid is used.
The mold favourably inserts the precursor into its position to produce the desired
penicillin. Benzyl penicillin, or penicillin G is the one in greatest demand by the
medical profession. Its main faw is that it tends to break down very easily in acid.
It therefore must be administered by intramuscular injection. The potassium salt is
the most commercially available form of penicillin G.
The second form of penicillin is known as semi synthetic penicillin. Most fungi that
produce penicillin can easily incorporate a variety of compounds into the acyl portion
of the penicillin molecule. The synthesized compounds must have the initial benefcial
traits of Penicillin G along with additional advantages such as acid stability (allowing
for oral ingestion), lowered allergenicity and greater resistance to penicillinase.
6.4.2. Penicillin Production Process
Spores of P. chrysogenum are used to inoculate 100ml of growth medium in a 500ml
shake fask. After 4 days incubation, the contents are transferred to growth medium in
a 500L reactor. After three days incubation, this culture is used to inoculate a 180m

reactor. Final Fermentation at about pH 6.5 and 23-28
C is completed in 5-6 days.
With good microorganism strains, about 10% of the carbon in the glucose fnds its
way into penicillin G whose fnal concentration may reach almost 30g/L.
The broth contains 20-35g/L of penicillin. It is pumped to a reservoir tank from
where it is fed to a continuous rotary vacuum flter which may use flter aids to form
a precoat. The mycelium is separated from the liquor and washed on the flter. It is
discharged from the flter as a thick blanket (cake) resembling paper pulp. The peni-
cillin-rich fltrate is chilled to 2-4
C to minimize chemical and enzyme degradation
during solvent extraction. This operation is necessary since fltration process is not
sterile. Growth of bacteria should not be allowed to build in the fltration process
because this can result in severe destruction of penicillin by the action of bacterial
penicillinases. Therefore, the flter is usually sterilized between runs with steam or
germicidal solutions.
Recovery of Penicillin by solvent extraction
This process utilizes the fact that penicillin is preferentially soluble in water or organic
solvents depending on whether it is in the free acid or a salt. The fltered and chilled
beer (broth) is passed through another flter. Coagulation agents such as aluminium
sulphate or tannic acid may be added to precipitate proteinous material. Next, peni-
cillin is extracted with amyl acetate or butyl acetate in a continuous countercurrent
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '45
process at 0.2-0.4 volumes solvent per volume of beer. Penicillins are strong acids
with pKa values in the range of 2.5-3.1. As the acid forms are soluble in many organic
solvents, they are extracted with high effciency into amyl acetate or butyl acetate at
pH 2.5-3.0 maintained by addition of phosphoric acid. A water-solvent emulsion is
formed. A de-emulsifying agent may be added to break the emulsion. The two phases
are separated in a continuous centrifuge.
Penicillin is then back extracted into water by the addition of alkali (potassium or
sodium hydroxide) or buffer at pH 5.0-7.5 The volume ratio of water to solvent extract
in this extractor is 0.1-0.2. After intimate mixing, the two layers are separated. The
aqueous phase is chilled. It is then acidifed and extracted with an organic solvent
such as anhydrous l-propanol, n-butanol or other volatile solvent. Penicillin is once
again extracted with water at pH 6.5 7.2. An alkaline solution is added to precipitate
a salt of the selected base (Na, or K) and the crystals fltered out and freeze-dried.
6.5. Other Antibiotics Produced by Fungi
on the isolation of potential antibiotic products from the soil bacteria streptomyces
which is able to synthesize a variety of antibiotics. Selman Waxman and associates
all produced by Streptomyces.
This antibiotic is produced commercially by aerobic submerged fermentation. Its
structure reveals that it is highly hydrophilic and may not be extracted by normal
solvent extraction procedures. The drug can be considered to be a cation and may be
removed from fltered solution by ion-exchange. This is because of its strong basic
Other antibiotics that have been discovered since include bacitracin, polymyxin,
have been synthetic modifcations of naturally occurring antibiotics.
6.6. Manufacture of Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
6.6.1. Introduction
Acetylsalicylic acid, a popular pain-relieving drug (analgesic) was developed in
the late 19th century as a household remedy for aches and pains. A French chemist,
Charles Frederic Gerhardt was the frst to prepare acetylsalicylic acid in 1853. By
name Aspirin is derived from A = Acetyl and Spirsure = an old (German) name
for salicylic acid.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '46
Aspirin is the worlds most widely used drug. It is one of the most frequently used
drugs in the treatment of mild to moderate pain, including that of migraines. It is
often combined with other non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the
treatment of moderate to severe pain. In high doses, aspirin and other salicylates are
used in the treatment of rheumatic fever, rheumatic arthritis, and other infammatory
joint conditions. Aspirin works by interfering with two similar prostaglandin-manu-
facturing enzymes, PGHS-1 and PGHS-2. The inhibition of PGHS-2 produces pain
relief, whilst the inhibition of PGHS-1 causes the side effects.
Aspirin may cause stomach bleeding, kidney damage, and hearing defects. It is no
longer considered suitable for children under the age of 12 years because of a suspected
link with a rare disease known as Reyes syndrome. Paracetamol or other NSAIDs,
such as ibuprofen, are now used instead
Fig. 6.3 Coated 325 mg aspirin tablets
Aspirins popularity declined after the development of paracetamol in 1956 and ibu-
profen in 1962. In the 1960s and 1970s, John Vane and others discovered the basic
mechanism of aspirins effects, while clinical trials and other studies from the 1960s
to the 1980s established aspirins effcacy as an anti-clotting agent that reduces the
risk of clotting diseases. Aspirin sales revived considerably in the last decades of the
twentieth century, and remain strong in the twenty-frst, thanks to widespread use as
a preventive treatment for heart attacks and strokes
6.6.2. Properties
Aspirin is an acetyl derivative of salicylic acid. It is a white, crystalline, weakly acidic
substance, with a melting point of 135C. Acetylsalicylic acid decomposes rapidly in
hydrolysis proceeds rapidly and the clear solutions formed may consist entirely of
acetate and salicylate. Formulations containing high concentrations of aspirin often
smell like vinegar. This is because aspirin can decompose in moist conditions, yielding
salicylic acid and acetic acid.

The acid dissociation constant (pK
) for acetylsalicylic
acid is 3.5 at 25 C.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '47
6.6.3. Manufacture
The synthesis of aspirin is classifed as an esterifcation reaction, where the alcohol
group from the salicylic acid reacts with an acid derivative (acetic anhydride), yiel-
ding methyl acetyl ester and acetic acid as a byproduct. Small amounts of sulfuric
acid are often used as a catalyst.
The manufacture follows carboxylation reaction by the Schmitt modifcation of the
Kolbe reaction as shown. The salicylic acid is refuxed with acetic anhydride in toluene
at about 90
C for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled and the acetylsalicylic
acid precipitates out as large crystals. The crystals are separated either by fltration
or by centrifuging, then washed thoroughly and dried.

/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '48
6. 7. Soaps and Detergents
6.7.1. Introduction
Soap is integral to our society today. However, the current widespread use of soap
is only a very recent occurrence, despite the fact that it has been made for more than
2500 years.
Soaps and detergents contain a surfactant1 as their active ingredient. This is a compound
consisting of a long, linear, non-polar (hydrophobic)tail with a polar (hydrophilic)
head. The tail is water insoluble and the head is water-soluble. This difference in
solubility has two important implications. Firstly, this makes the surfactant molecule
a wetting agent. The tails migrate to align themselves with the solid-water interface,
thus lowering the surface tension at that point so that the surfactant penetrates the
fabric better. Secondly, it allows the oily dirt particles to form an emulsion with the
water. The tails of many surfactant molecules surround an oily dirt particle, forming
a micelle with the oil in the centre and the ionic heads of the surfactant molecules
pointing outwards and hence keeping the micelle in the polar solution.
Surfactants perform other important functions in cleaning, such as loosening, emulsi-
Surfactants can also provide alkalinity, which is useful in removing acidic soils.
Animal fats and plant oils contain compounds known as fatty acids. These fatty acids
are bound to glycerol to form triglycerides. In the presence of a strong base such as
sodium hydroxide, the triglycerides breakdown to form the metal salt of the fatty
acid. This reaction which is shown below is called saponifcation which literally
means the making of soap.
The main sources of fats are beef and mutton tallow, while palm and coconut oils are
the principal oils used in soap making.
Surfactants are classifed by their ionic (electrical charge) properties in water: anionic
(either positive or negative charge). Soaps are anionic detergents because the active
portion (RCO
) is negatively charged. Sodium and potassium soaps are soluble in
water but Ca
and Mg
(alkaline earth metals) soaps are insoluble in water. When
these cations are present in water e.g. in seawater or hard water, they displace Na
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '49
(or K) from the soap and form their own salts which are insoluble in water, hence
precipitates. Examples are scum and linings in bathtubs, discolouration and hardening
of fabrics. This precipitate reduces the emulsifying action of soap and more soap
is consumed.
Soap has retained its dominance as the active surfactant ingredient in toilet soap.
The main reasons are:
1) lower cost of soap in comparison with synthetic detergents.
2) diffculties of producing bars of synthetic detergents.
3) greater degreasing and wetting power of synthetic detergents that can be har-
mful to the skin.
6.7.2. Batch process for soap manufacture
Step 1 - Oil preparation
The mostly commonly used oils are tallow and coconut oil. These are blended together
and dried in a vacuum chamber. Once the oils are dry, bleaching earth is added to
remove any coloured impurities. After removing the bleaching earth by fltration, the
oils are stored ready for saponifcation.
Step 2 - Saponifcation
The mixture of bleached oils is mixed with recycled spent lye from the washing stage
downstream and fresh caustic soda solution. The mixture is boiled for several hours
after which it settles into two layers with the mixture of soap and unreacted oils at
the top. The bottom layer i.e. the lye which contains glycerine is pumped off. More
caustic liquor is added to this and the mixture reheated to saponify the remaining
free oils.
Step 3 - Washing
The crude soap is washed with a mixture of fresh caustic solution and nigre lye (see
below). The washed soap is sent to the ftting pans, while the lye is used in the next
Step 4 - Fitting
Here the remaining unwanted glycerine is removed from the soap by reboiling with
water, NaCl and a small amount of NaOH solution. The electrolyte concentration in
the water is such that the soap and water separates out into two layers. The top layer
is neat wet soap, which is pumped off to be dried. The bottom layer is known as
the nigre layer, and consists of a solution of soap, glycerine and NaCl. This is left
in the pan, reboiled with further salt and left to stand, forming a soap crust over a
lower layer of nigre lye (salt and glycerine).
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '50
This soap is left in the pan and is mixed with the next batch of washed soap, while
the nigre lye is used to wash the next batch of crude soap.
Step 5 - Drying
Finally, the water level is reduced down to about 12% by heating the soap to about 125
C under pressure and then spraying it into a fash tank at vacuum pressure of about
40 mm Hg (5.3 kPa). Some of the liquid vapourizes into a vapor which is condensed
in a barometric condenser. The latent heat of evaporation lost as the water boils off
reduces the soap temperature down to 45
C, at which temperature it solidifes onto
walls of the fash tank.
The soap chips are scraped off the walls and formed into soap noodles in an equipment
known as plodder. The soap is now known as base or neat soap, and can be converted
into a variety of different soaps in the fnishing stages.
In the fnal processing step, the dry soap pellets pass through a bar soap fnishing
line. The frst unit in the line is a mixer, called an amalgamator, in which the soap
pellets are blended together with fragrance, colorants and all other ingredients. The
mixture is then homogenized and refned through rolling mills and refning plodders
to achieve thorough blending and a uniform texture. Finally, the mixture is conti-
nuously extruded from the plodder, cut into bar-size units and stamped into its fnal
shape in a soap press.
6.7.3. Laundry or hard soap manufacture
The base soap is mixed with colour and preservatives and milled. Perfume is then
added and the mixture plodded or extruded into a continuous bar. The bar is cut into
billets and stamped out into tablets ready for packaging.
6.7.4. Toilet soap manufacture
Toilet soap is required to have less water and more fatty material than laundry soap.
For this reason base soap intended for toilet soap manufacture usually has extra fatty
acids added with the preservatives before it is vacuum dried. These ensure that there
is no unreacted caustic left in the soap by the time it reaches the consumer, and also
make the soap softer. However, pure soap is hard and easily oxidised, so various
additives are added to correct this and to make a more aesthetically pleasing pro-
duct. The frst such additive is glycerine, which is produced in the saponifcation
reaction. Glycerine makes the soap smoother and softer than pure soap. However, it
is also much more valuable than soap itself, so only a minimum of glycerine is left
in the soap and the remainder is extracted, purifed and sold.
Perfume, dye and opacifer are then added to the dried soap and the mixture milled
into billets and stamped ready for packaging and sale.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '5'
6.7.5. Glycerine recovery
Refned glycerine is an important industrial material used in foods, cosmetics, drugs
and many other products. It is more valuable than the soap Recovery is done in a
three-step process.
Step 1 - Soap removal
First, excess caustic alkali is removed using hydrochloric acid
HCl + NaOH NaCl + H2O
The ferrous chloride is then added to remove the dissolved soap. This reacts with the
soap to form an insoluble ferrous soap:
+ 2RCOONa 2NaCl + (RCOO)
This precipitate is fltered out and then excess ferrous chloride removed with caus-
2NaOH + FeCl
(s) + 2NaCl
This is fltered out, leaving a soap-free lye solution.
Step 2 - Salt removal
Water is removed from the lye in a vacuum evaporator, causing the salt to crystallise
out as the solution becomes supersaturated. This is removed in a centrifuge, dissol-
ved in hot water and stored for use as fresh lye. When the glycerine content of the
solution reaches 80 - 85% it is pumped to the crude settling tank where more salt
separates out.
Step 3 - Glycerine purifcation
A small amount of caustic soda is added to the crude glycerine and the solution then
distilled under vacuum in a heated still. Two fractions are taken off - one of pure gly-
cerine and one of glycerine and water. The glycerine thus extracted is bleached with
carbon black then transferred to drums for sale, while the water/glycerine fraction is
mixed with the incoming spent lye. This repeats the treatment cycle.
6.7.6. Disadvantages of soap
Although soap is an excellent detergents and 100% bidegradable, it has two main
1. Soap forms an insoluble precipitate when hard water is used. Hard water contains
dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium which react with soap to
form insoluble calcium and magnesium soaps. This results in soap wastage as
well as the soiling of laundry by the sticky precipitate.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '52
2. Soap cannot be used in acidic solutions such as used during textile processing.
Strong acids will react with soap to precipitate fatty acids which adhere to the
fabric and even prevent the application of dyestuffs.
6.8. Detergents
6.8.1. Historical Development of Detergents
In the early 1930s both the alcohol sulphates and the alkyl aryl sulphonates were the
main cleaning materials. The alkyl portion of the sulphonate was from a kerosene
fraction hence referred to as keryl benzene sulphonate. At the end of the Second
World War alkyl aryl sulphonates dominated in general cleaning materials while the
alcohol sulphates found wide application in the shampoo feld.
The use of alkyl benzene sulphonate grew rapidly because of their ease of manufac-
ture. The existing keryl benzene was quickly replaced by an alkyl benzene made from
propylene tetramer coupled to benzene (PT benzene). In a short span of time, more
than half the detergents used throughout the world were based on PT benzene. The
rapid rise in synthetic detergents saw the decline of soap consumption to a constant
6.8.2. Detergency improvement
When detergents started appearing in appreciable quantities on the retail market, it
was noted that white cotton articles were not being washed as white as they should
be. Although the active material was able to lift the dirt from the cloth it could not
keep it in suspension. Hence small spots of dirt were being redeposited uniformly
over the whole surface area of the cloth thus giving the cloth a grey appearance.
Use of the sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as an additive to synthetic
detergent powders was found to eliminate the redeposition problem.
To improve the heavy-duty washing properties, manufacturers started to build their
products with alkaline materials such as carbonates, silicates, borax, and orthophos-
phates. All of these singly and in combination were tried with moderate success.
Heavy-duty detergent formulations were introduced, initially with tetra sodium
pyrophosphate and then with sodium tripolyphosphate with startling success. With
the advent of CMC and tripolyphosphate builders the detergent industry established
Enzymes, which can be called organic catalysts, tend to hasten reactions and the
proteolytic enzymes convert or break down proteins wholly or partially into amino
acids. They were initially added together with a proportion of amylase which breaks
down starches, to pre-soak detergents. Better and better strains of enzymes were
developed, with stability to a wider pH spectrum, stability against perborate and
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '5J
quicker action. Today enzymatic powders are now holding a large proportion of
the household detergent. Some washing-machine manufacturers produce automatic
washing machines with a Bio programme which allows the washing to remain in
contact with the detergent solution for an extended period of time at a relatively
low temperature before beginning the washing and heating cycle. Safety and health
concerns cause some enzymes to be excluded in some detergent formulations.
6.8.3. Detergent Raw materials
A detergent is a formulated product which is specially designed to promote the cleaning
action. Each individual component in the formulation has its own specifc functions
in the washing process but it can also produce synergistic effect with other compo-
nents. Some components are added to aid or improve effciency of the production
process while others are added to improve the appearance and odour of the product.
The major components can be categorized into:
Bleaching agents

A surfactant ( surface active agent) is a compound with a water-soluble oil-insoluble
(hydrophilic) portion on one side and an oil-soluble water-insoluble (hydrophobic)
portion on the opposite side. Generally, the hydrophobic portion is a long alkyl chain
while the hydrophilic portion is a solubility-enhancing portion. The surfactant exhibits
surface activity by lowering the surface tension of liquids.
A surfactant suited for detergent manufacture should have the following characte-
1. specifc adsortion
2. soil removal
3. low sensitivity to water hardness
4. dispersion properties
5. soil antiredeposition capability
6. high solubility
7. wetting power
8. desirable foam characteristics
9. neutral odour
10. low intrinsic colour
11. storage stability
12. favourable handling characteristics
13. minimal toxicity to humans
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '54
14. no adverse environmental impacts
15. good raw material supply
16. economy
A surfactant can be placed in one of four classes:
Anionic surfactants
These include alkylbenzene suphonates, fatty alcohol sulphates (alkyl sulphates) and
alkyl ether sulphates.
Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) is a leading detergent surfactant. It has good
foaming ability and its foam can be readily stabilized. Its foam can be boosted or
controlled by foam inhibitors. LAS is however sensitive to water hardness. Its de-
tergency power decreases with increasing water hardness.
Fatty alcohol sulphates (ROSO
H): These are the most important class of fat-derived
surfactants in terms of tonnage produced. They are readily biodegradeable. They
are employed in heavy and light duty detergents as well as in toilet soaps. They are
chemically stable on the alkaline side and are easily hydrolysed on the acid side.
They are incorporated in spray-dried formulations. They can be converted to the
ammonium or sodium salts.
Alkyl ether sulphates are obtained by ethoxylation of natural and synthetic alcohols.
The optimal carbon chain length is C

about 2 moles ethylene oxide. They
are highly foaming and have low sensitivity to water hardness. They also have high
solubility and good storage stability at low temperatures in liquid formulations. They
are preferred for easy care and wool detergents as well as dishwashing liquids, hair
shampoos and foam baths.
The most widely used nonionic detergents include:
Alkyl polyglycol ethers (AEO): Ethylene oxide reacts with any compound having
reactive hydrogen atoms. This reaction is called ethoxylation. The polyglycol ethers
of straight chain alcohols i.e. RO(CH
H are presently becoming the most
important surfactants because of their improved biodegradability, replacing the older
polyglycol ethers based on nonylphenol polyethylene glycol. Most of these non-ionics
are viscous liquids or soft pastes. Aqueous solutions exhibit an inverse solubility
behaviour i.e. the solubility decreases with increasing temperature. The temperature
at which dilute aqueous solutions clouds up because of insolubility of the surfactant
is referred to as the cloud point.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '55
Alkylolamides of fatty acids: These surfactants have the structure RCON(CH

(diethanolethamide) and RCONHCH
CHOH (monoethanolamide). Monoethanela-
mides are usually incorporated into laundry detergents while diethanolamides are
used in light duty and dishwashing detergents as well as in shampoos. Their major
function is in foam boosting and soil suspension.
Since the surfactant molecules bears a positive charge, their adsorption reduces the
negative zeta-potential of solids present in aqueous solutions. They therefore reduce
mutual repulsions including that between soil and fbres. Excess use causes charge
reversal with adverse effect. They are not used for the sole purpose of soil removal
because charge reversal in the direction of negative zeta-potential occurs during rinsing
causing previously remove soil to be attracted to the fbres. They are used for special
effects for example as antistatic agents, fabric softening and as microbicides.
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) RRN(CH
Cl are among the most
widely used cationic detergents. QAC RHN(CH
Cl having a single long aliphalic
chain possess bacteriological properties. Quaternary ammonium compounds such
as dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride possessing two aliphatic chains are used as
textile softeners for both household and industrial use.
Since cationics display behaviour opposite to that of anionics, the two are incompa-
tible. They are incompatible with anionic antibacterial agents like hexachlorophene
but are compatible with cationic germicides such as mercurials. Nonionic surfactants
are more tolerant of cationics than anionics.
These surfactants possess both anionic and cationic groups in the same molecule.
Amphoterics show the properties of anionics at high pH and those of cationics at low
pH. They are therefore compatible with either cationic or anionic surfactants. They
are used to overcome problems associated with high electrolyte levels and corrosion.
They also have other interesting properties such as:
1. excellent foaming and lime soap dispersing properties.
2. antistatic properties
3. textile softening
They include dicarboxylic acids such as RN(CH
COOH). Alkyl aminopropionic
acids have antistatic and hair softening properties.
N-Alkylbetains RN
. These are rarely used because they are ex-
These are used to support detergent action and to deal with the problem of water
hardness caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions. They include alk-
alis, complexing agents and ion exchangers.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '56
Bleaching agents
Bleaches increase the refectance of visible light at the expense of absorption. It
involves the removal or change of dyes and soil by mechanical and/or physical
means. Hydrogen peroxide is the main bleaching agent. Sodium perborate NaBO
incorporated in detergents as a source of hydrogen peroxide.
6.8.4. Powder Detergent Manufacture
Powder detergents are produced by spray drying, agglomeration, dry mixing or
combinations of these methods.
In the spray drying process, dry and liquid ingredients are frst combined into
a slurry, or thick suspension, in a tank. The slurry is heated and then pumped
hollow granules as they dry. The dried granules are collected from the bottom
of the spray drier where they are screened to achieve a relatively uniform size.
After the granules have been cooled, heat sensitive ingredients such as bleach, en-
zymes and fragrance that cannot withstand the high temperatures in the spray drier
are added. Traditional spray drying produces relatively low density powders. New
larger particles.
liquids may also be added.
6.8.4. Detergent manufacture by the spray drying
Step 1 - Slurry making
The solid and liquid raw ingredients are fed into a large tank known as a slurry mixer
or clutcher. As the ingredients are added the mixture heats up as a result of two exo-
thermic reactions: the hydration of sodium tripolyphosphate and the reaction between
caustic soda and linear alkylbenzenesulphonic acid. The mixture is then further heated
to about 85
C and stirred until it forms a homogeneous slurry.
Step 2 - Spray drying
The slurry is deaerated in a vacuum chamber and then separated by an atomiser into
fnely divided droplets. These are sprayed into a column of air at about 425
C, which
dries them instantaneously. The resultant powder is known as base powder from
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '57
which other products are made. The ingredients normally found in base powder and
their functions are shown in Table 6.1.
Step 3 Post dosing
Other ingredients are now added, and the air blown through the mixture in a fuidiser
to mix them into a homogeneous powder.
Fig 6.4 Detergent manufacture by spray drying
Table 6.1 Base powder ingredients and their functions
Ingredients Function
Sodium tripolyphsophate (STP) Water softener, pH buffer (to
reduce alkalinity).
Sodium sulphate Bulking and free-fowing agent
Soap noodles Causes rapid foam collapse dur-
ing rinsing
Zeolite Water softener (absorbs Ca
) in countries where STP is
not used; granulating agent for
concentrated detergents
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Increases the negative charge on
cellulosic fbres such as cotton
and rayon, causing them to repel
dirt particles (which are positively
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '58
6.8.5. Liquid Detergent Manufacture
Laundry detergents may also be manufactured in liquid form. A typical process is
as follows:
Step 1 - Soap manufacture
The soap is made by neutralizing fatty acids with either caustic soda or potassium
Step 2 - Ingredient mixing
All the other ingredients except enzymes are added and mixed. Temperature is
raised as may be required to dissolve the ingredients
Step 3 - Enzyme addition
The mixture is cooled and milled, and the enzymes added in powder form.
Table 6.2 Some Laundry liquid detergents ingredients and their functions
Linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid
Surfactant is the main active ingredient
Caustic soda solution Neutralizes the LAS
Coconut diethanolamide or a fatty
alcohol ethoxylate:
Nonionic detergent and foam former
Absorbs UV light and emits blue light,
causing ageing cotton to appear white
rather than yellow.
Water Dissolves the various ingredients, cau-
sing them to mix better.
Soda ash (anhydrous Na
) Keeps the pH at 9.0-9.5. This ensures
optimum detergent function. Also forms
insoluble carbonates with Ca and Mg, so
acts as a water softener.
Bleach (usually sodium perborate
Bleaches and remove stains without da-
maging colour-fast dyes. Sodium perbo-
rate breaks down at high temperatures to
release H
, which functions this way.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '59
Bleach activator (e.g. tetraacetyleth-
Catalyses sodium perborate breakdown at
low temperatures.
Enzymes (e.g. alkaline protease) Alkaline protease breaks down proteins
in the alkaline conditions created by soda
ash, helping to remove stains.
Colour and perfume Create a more aesthetically pleasing
Preservatives, e.g. formalin Protects product from microbial attack
6.8.6. Packaging
bags or cans. The packaging materials and containers are selected on the basis of
appeal and ease of use.
6.8.7. Role of the Laboratory
The laboratory monitors the formulation and specifcation of products from raw
material to fnished goods. Many soaps are formulated locally, and the laboratory
tests a range of formulations for stability and manufacturing practicality. The trial
formulations are aged in a warm oven to simulate a couple of years of shelf life,
then checked for perfume loss or alteration, base odour, colour stability and any
general rancidity. Formulations are also constantly checked for cost effectiveness,
and soaps are frequently reformulated for cost and supplier considerations. When a
new formula has been agreed the laboratory will lay down the specifcations that the
fnished soap and its intermediary stages must meet. These could be colour, odour,
moisture or electrolyte concentrations, or the concentrations of impurities or additives.
These specifcations are also constantly being revised as the production equipment
is improved, or consumer demands change.
The laboratory lays down all the specifcations for raw materials to be purchased
against. These specifcations become the basis for the supplier to quote against. The
materials are constantly tested against these specifcations, either on a shipment basis
or suppliers batch size. In some cases the manufacturing plant is inspected and ap-
proved, and if the supplier can validate their process, then the need for many routine
or expensive tests can be reduced or eliminated.
In most cases quality testing is performed at the process, by the process operators.
The laboratory hold samples of every batch of fnished goods for some months, so
that if there are any consumer complaints, an original sample can be tested against
the defect sample to determine the cause of the complaint.
Tests carried out on some particular products are listed below.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '60
Batch process soap
The incoming tallow and coconut oil are tested for colour (after bleaching) and free
fatty acid content. The neat liquid soap is tested for free alkali, salt content and glycerol
content, while the soap chips are tested for moisture and fatty acid content.
Detergent powder
The laboratory tests for the concentrations of active detergent, sodium tripolyphos-
phate, moisture, soda ash, enzymes and bleach, and monitors physical properties such
as dynamic fow rate, compressibility, particle size, colour and perfume.
Liquid detergent
The product is typically tested for viscosity, pH, cationic detergent (fabric conditio-
ner) content, enzyme content, conductivity (a measure of detergent stability), colour
and perfume.
Environmental Issues
Propylene tetramer (PT) benzene sulphonate held almost undisputed sway as the major
ingredient used in washing operations till the early 1960s. Around this time it was
noted, however, that sewage treatment problems were arising. The amount of foam
on rivers was increasing and where water was being drawn from wells located close
to household discharge points, the water tended to foam when coming out of the tap.
This was attributed to the fact that propylene-based alkyl benzene sulphonates are
not completely degraded by the bacteria naturally present in effuents. It was found
out that it was the branched-chain formation of the alkyl benzene which hinders the
attack by the bacteria. It was proved that linear alkyl benzene is biodegradable. Se-
veral countries introduced legislation prohibiting the discharge of non-biologically
degradable material into sewer systems. This promoted the change to linear alkyl
benzene (LAS) which had 10 per cent better detergency than PT benzene sulphonate
in heavy-duty formulations. Solutions of the neutralized sulphonic acid had a lower
viscosity, an advantage when the product was spray-dried to a powder. However,
powders made from LAS became sticky and lost their free-fowing characteristics.
Having successfully coped with the problem of biodegradation the industry faced a
new attack. It appeared that in certain lakes and ponds algae started reproducing at
an unprecedented rate. This was blamed on the extensive use of phosphates in the
form of sodium tripolyphosphate. The term eutrophication, meaning nutrition by che-
mical means, has been applied to this phenomenon. This problem was compounded
by concurrent increase in the use of phosphate fertilizers, which also fnd their way
into natural water systems. With the big international preoccupation with ecology the
detergent industry is searching for an effcient substitute for sodium tripolyphosphate.
NTA (nitrilo triacetic acid) has a better sequestering agent than tripolyphosphate but
has none of the other properties exhibited by the phosphate. However, NTA contains
nitrogen which is again a good fertilizer and nutrient for algae.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '6'
The three main components of soap by both cost and volume are oils, caustic soda and
perfumes. Oils and perfume are immiscible with water and so, their spillage creates
problems. Therefore, safe transport and containment of the raw materials, and the
minimization of losses during manufacture is essential.
Detergent powder manufacture has some specifc environmental issues, namely
dust control and volatile organic matter emissions. Dust present during delivery
and transfer of bulk powdered detergent and powdered raw materials is a potential
problem. Dust collecting equipment is therefore required in large powder detergent
manufacture. The spray drying tower also releases volatile organics. Hence the need
to add ingredients capable of releasing hazardous volatile matter only after the spray
drier. It is also necessary to carry out spot checks on total hydrocarbon content of
the exhaust gases.
Formative Evaluation
1. Distinguish between microbial and enzymatic fermentation
2. What factors make fermentation attractive as a chemical manufacturing
3. Discuss how the following factors affect fermentation
a. pH
b. Temperature
4. Explain the role played by various enzymes and micro-organisms in fermen-
tations that use starch as substrate.
5. Describe fermentation conditions used in the manufacture of
a. Ethanol
b. Penicillin
6. Explain how antibiotics work and the role they have played in the improvement
of human health.
7. Write short notes on the uses of aspirin.
8. Describe the steps that come after saponifcation in toilet soap production.
9. What is the function of the following ingredients in a detergent powder
a. fuorescer
b. bleach
c. sodium carboxymethylcellulose.
10. Explain why propylene tetramer (PT) benzene was replaced by linear alkyl-
benzene sulphonate (LAS).
Draw the block diagrams for the following processes:
1. Penicillin production
2. Soap manufacture
3. Glycerol purifcation
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '62
XV. synthesis of the Module
This is the only industrial chemistry module in the whole chemistry course. There are
six units in the module. The frst unit covers defnitions, classifcations, inputs and
outputs of the manufacturing industry and the chemical industry in particular. The
use of fow diagrams to supplement description of chemical processes and as tools
for material balance calculations is presented.
The second unit deals with unit operations and unit processes which are the building
blocks of chemical processes. Included in this Unit are size reduction, unit operations
dealing with separation of materials and important chemical reactions. This knowledge
prepares you for the study of industrial processes.
In unit 3 we apply the knowledge in unit operations and unit processes in the study
of extractive metallurgy and in particular the manufacture of iron, copper and alu-
minium. The fourth unit is also on industrial inorganic chemistry and deals with the
manufacture of six basic chemicals namely, sodium hydroxide and chlorine, ammonia,
sulphuric acid, fertilizer and cement.
The ffth unit is one of two units dealing with industrial organic processes. Petroleum
processing, manufacture and uses of some petrochemicals and polymers are presen-
ted. These are phthlic anydride and adipc acid, polyethylene and styrene butadiene
rubber respectively.
The sixth and last unit in the module focuses on some organic products some of them
the fermentation products. These are ethanol and penicillin. Aspirin is also covered
under pharmaceuticals. We close the module with the study of soap and detergent
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '6J
XVI. summative evaluation
1. Waste acid from a nitration process has the following % composition by wei-
O 20
The acid is concentrated to:
O 13
by addition of 93% w/w sulphuric acid and 90% w/w nitric acid. Use material ba-
lance to calculate the amount of waste acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid needed to
produce 100kg of concentrated nitration acid.
2. How are particles made hydrophobic for the purpose of fotation?
3. Explain the following with respect to free radical polymerization:
a. Initiation
b. Propagation
c. Termination
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of emulsion polymerization?
5. List down 10 reasons why material size enlargement is carried out in indus-
6. Write blast furnace equations for:
a. Iron ore reduction
b. Fuel reactions
c. Slag formation.
7. Describe the Hall-Heroult aluminium electrolysis process
8. Explain how blister copper is produced.
9. Describe the reactions that take place in a cement kiln at various tempera-
10. Draw diagrams to illustrate mercury, diaphragm and membrane cells as used
in the manufacture of chlorine and sodium hydroxide. What are the advantages
of the diaphragm cell over mercury cell?
11. Explain why in the Haber process, the temperature is increased rather than
decreased as per prediction by the Le Chateliers principle. Why is it neces-
sary to remove sulphur compounds from the feedstocks?
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '64
12. Converting sulphur trioxide into sulphuric acid cannot be done by simply
adding water to sulphur trioxide. Why?
13. Explain using equations, how super-phosphate and triple phosphate fertilizer
is made
14. Discuss the term octane number and explain why iso-alkanes are more
preferred than the n-alkanes for use as internal combustion engine fuels?
15. Describe how phthalic anhydride is manufactured
16. Explain the role of the various ingredients used in the emulsion polymerization
of styrene and butadiene to make SBR polymer.
17. How are the following products recovered from their respective fermentation
(i) Ethanol
(ii) Penicillin
18. Describe using equations, the process of making aspirin
19. Describe how saponifcation is carried out during soap manufacture. How is
glycerol recovered from the lye?
20. How are powdered detergents made?
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '65
XVII. References
edn. McGraw-Hill
International Edition. Chemical Engineering Series. Singapore.
House, New York.
Wiley & Sons Inc., New York.
Chang R. (1991). Chemistry, 4
Edition, McGraw-Hill Inc. New York.
Shukla S. D and Pandey G. N, (1978). A Textbook of Chemical Technology. Vol.1
Stephenson R.M. (1966). Introduction to the Chemical Process Industries, Reinhold
Publishing Corporation, New York.
Edition, McGraw-Hill
Book Company, New Delhi.
Gerhartz, W. (Editor), (1987). Ullmanns Encyclopaedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol
A8, 5
Edition, VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim.
Clearing House for Inventories and Emissions, U.S.A. Environmental Protection
Underkoffer L.A, Hickey R.J. (1954) Industrial Fermentation Vol. I, Chemical Pu-
blishing Co. Inc. New York.
Price R.F. and Regester M.M. (Editors), (2000). WEFA Industrial Monitor 2000-2001,
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.New York.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '66
XVIII. student Records
Name of EXCEL fle: Student grade Records
Name of student Score in Score in Score in Score in Score in Score in Score in
learning learning learning learning learning learning summative
activity1 activity 2 activity 4 activity 4 activity 5 activity 6 evaluation
(10%) (10%) (10%) (10%) (10%) (10%) (40%)
XIX. Main author of the Module
Dr. Helen Njeri Njenga
E-mail: hnnjenga@uonbi.ac.ke
Birth date: Nov. 2/1952
Marital status: Single and mother of two daughters and two sons.
Academic background
B.Sc. in Chemistry; University of Nairobi, Kenya (1977)
M. Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (1979)
PhD. in Chemical Engineering, University of Wales, United Kingdom (1991)
Dr. Njenga worked as Principal Research Offcer at Kenya Industrial Research and
Development Institute (KIRDI) before joining the Department of Chemistry, Uni-
versity of Nairobi where she played a key role in the development and launching of
the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry degree programme. She has taught
various courses in this department and is currently the Thematic Head of the Indus-
trial Chemistry Section.
/lr|can v|rrua| un|vers|ry '67
XX. file structure
Name of the module (WORD) fle
Module 13 Industrial Chemistry
Name of all other fles (WORD, PDF, PPT, etc.) for the module
PDF fles in accompanying CD:
chlor-alkali and aluminium electrolysis.pdf
haber ammonia synthesis.pdf
ammonia next step.pdf
nitric acid and adipic acid.pdf
10J polyethylene.pdf
antibiotics production.pdf
soaps and detergents.pdf