Dimethyl Carbonate Production Process - Cost Analysis - DMC E11A

Book excerpt: This report presents a cost analysis of Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) production from methanol. The process examined is a typical oxidative carbonylation process. This process is a non-phosgene alternative for DMC production, in which CO, O2 and methanol react in the presence of copper chloride (CuCI) catalyst. Although reaction occurs in the liquid phase, a heterogeneous-phase mixture forms and the product stream is withdrawn from the reactor in vapor phase. The vapor is partially condensed, treated for recovery of catalyst and then subjected to distillation operations. Unreacted methanol is recovered and recycled to the reactor. Purified Dimethyl Carbonate is obtained after separation of side-product water. This report was developed based essentially on the following reference(s): (1) US Patent 20030236428, issued to General Electric Company (2) US Patent 5685957, issued to Enichem Synthesis in 1997 Keywords: Non-Phosgene Process, Phosgene-Free, Oxidative Carbonylation, Enichem, Eni