Acetaldehyde is a colorless liquid with a pungent, fruity odor. It is primarily used as a chemical intermediate, principally for the production of acetic acid, pyridine and pyridine bases, peracetic acid, pentaeythritol, butylene glycol, and chloral. Acetaldehyde is a volatile and flammable liquid that is miscible in water, alcohol, ether, benzene, gasoline, and other common organic solvents. In this problem, the synthesis of acetaldehyde via the dehydrogenation of ethanol is to be considered. The following reactions occur during the dehydrogenation of ethanol:

The single-pass conversion of ethanol is typically 60%. The yields for each reaction are approximately:

1. Acetaldehyde 92%

2. Ethyl acetate 4%

3. Butanol 2%

4. Acetic acid 2%

1. For this process, generate a process concept diagram showing all the input and output chemicals.

2. Develop two alternative preliminary process flow diagrams for this process.

Transcribed Image Text:

CH3CH₂OH CH3CHO + H₂ acetaldehyde (1) 2CH3CH₂OH → CH3COOC2H5 + 2H₂ ethylacetate (2) 2CH3CH₂OH → CH3 (CH2)3OH + H₂O butanol (3) CH3CH₂OH + H₂O → CH3COOH + 2H₂ aceticacid (4)