CONTINUOUS PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ETHOXYLATES

摘要

A multi-step process for continuous production of ethoxylates useful as a surfactant is provided to obtain an ethoxylate product having a molecular weight distribution equal to or narrower than the molecular weight distribution of an ethoxylate obtained by a base-catalyzed semi-batch process. A multi-step process for continuous production of ethoxylates comprises the steps of: providing a mixture of a C1-C26 non-phenolic alcohol with a double metal cyanide(DMC) catalyst; setting an ethoxylation condition in a first continuous stirred tank reactor(CSTR); continuously supplying a mixture of ethylene oxide, C1-C26 non-phenolic alcohol and DMC catalyst to the first CSTR under a condition suitable for producing an ethoxylate; continuously supplying a reaction product from the first CSTR and additional ethylene oxide to a second CSTR or tube reactor under a condition suitable for producing an ethylate product; and continuously discharging the ethoxylate product from the second CSTR or tube reactor to a collection reservoir, wherein the ethoxylate product has the substantially same molecular weight distribution as the molecular weight distribution of the corresponding ethoxylate product produced by a base-catalyzed process.