Glycerin to Acrolein: Can Renewable Processes Challenge Traditional Processes?

The production of acrolein by the dehydration of glycerin (GTA) was compared with formaldehyde/acetaldehyde aldolization (FAA) and propylene oxidation (PO) by using the Aspen Plus 11.1 process design software. The fixed assets cost of the FAA, PO, and GTA process were estimated as 61.95, 41.73, and 39.09 million CNY, respectively, for a 40-kt a(-1) plant, and the total manufacturing costs were estimated as 10637, 8873, and 8974 CNY t(-1), respectively. The PO process is the most economical under current market and technology conditions. Nevertheless, the renewable process outshone traditional processes if the propylene price was greater than or equal to 8200 CNY t(-1) at a glycerin price of 3800 CNY t(-1), as long as the yield of acrolein from GTA was greater than or equal to 93 %.

Automated summary

The production of acrolein was compared using the FAA, PO, and GTA processes, and it was found that the PO process is the most economical. However, the renewable process performed better if certain conditions were met.