Recovery of p-TBC from a butadiene washing stream in a pilot plant

Abstract

-Results obtained in a pilot-scale unit designed for COD removal and p-TBC (p-tert-butylcatechol) recovery from a butadiene washing stream (pH 14, 200,000 mg COD L -1 , highly toxic) at a petrochemical industry are presented. By adding H 3 PO 4 , phase separation is achieved and p-TBC is successfully recovered (88 g L -1 of washing stream). Information (time for phase separation and organic phase characterization) was gathered for designing a future industrial unit. The estimated heat generation rate was 990 kJ min -1 and 15 min were enough to promote phase separation for a liquid column of approximately 1.15 m.