Project Background

In the production of cyclohexanone oxime via cyclohexanone oximation reaction, tert-butanol is used as the solvent. Ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, cyclohexanone and TS-1 catalyst (titanium silicalite molecular sieve) are fed into the reactor for the oximation reaction. Clear liquid flows out of the reactor during continuous production. As the reaction proceeds, part of the catalyst is pulverized and deactivated, which reduces the reaction efficiency.

To ensure stable reaction operation and maintain the catalyst concentration inside the reactor within a reasonable range, the conventional process adopts the method of supplementing fresh catalyst and discharging partial catalyst-containing reaction liquid. The mixture of reaction clear liquid and waste catalyst is sent to solid-liquid separation equipment. The separated clear liquid returns to the reactor, while the solid waste catalyst is dewatered and discharged.

Disadvantages of the existing technology:

 Traditional separation methods such as metal powder sintered filter elements or filter presses are adopted for separating reaction clear liquid and waste catalyst, which present multiple drawbacks including low separation efficiency, poor dewatering effect and material leakage. The leaked materials contain ammonia, causing strong odor and failure to meet environmental protection standards. In addition, the process features low automation and high manual labor intensity. Workers are required to wear gas masks during operation due to severe ammonia odor.

Improved characteristics of our company’s solution: 

The filter adopts fully automatic operation for the entire filtration process. After relevant parameters are set, the system can automatically complete liquid feeding, filter cake layer formation, filtration, liquid draining, drying, cake peeling, cake discharging and cleaning. Minimal manual intervention is required during operation.