Purification of Durene by melt Crystallization Application
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techsheet)
Durene (1,2,4,5–tetramethylbenzene) is used as a solvent
and as an intermediate for manufacturing pyromellitic dianhydride, which is
used for the fabrication of curing agents, adhesives and specialty heat
resistant engineering plastics (polyamides).
Durene’s high melting
point (Tmelt 80°C) helps in isolating it from the other isomers of
tetra-methylbenzene: prehnitene (Tmelt -8°C) and isodurene (Tmelt -24°) by
means of crystallization. Using melt crystallization and separation by GEA Niro
PT, a durene product with purity over 99.5% can be obtained.
Durene isomers
The
energy required for purification by crystallization is generally less than 25%
of that required for distillation. Operation at lower temperatures means less
fuel and lower production costs. Suspension-based melt crystallization coupled
with the GEA Niro PT wash column as solid-liquid separator can efficiently
purify durene from many industrial feedstocks.