Closed Loop Recycling of Chlorine for Sustainable Development of Polyurethane Industry

• Published in: Transactions of Tianjin University 2011-08, Vol.17 (4), p.298-304
• Main Author: 丁建生 华卫琦 胡兵波 宋锦宏 楼银川
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Engineering; Humanities and Social Sciences; Mechanical Engineering; multidisciplinary; Science; 可持续发展; 回收技术; 异氰酸酯; 氯化氢; 聚氨基甲酸乙酯; 聚氨酯工业; 聚氨酯行业; 闭环
• ISSN: 1006-4982; 1995-8196
• DOI: 10.1007/s12209-011-1645-x

Increasing demand is fueling the booming polyurethane industry worldwide. An impeding issue for poly- urethane industry is how to handle the large quantity of hydrogen chloride byproduct generated from the synthesis of intermediates, i.e., isocyanates. In the meantime, the traditional chloro-alkaline process sufibrs both from the high en- ergy intensity of electrolysis method and the disparity in the chlorine and caustic soda market. To solve these prob- lems, the state-of-the-art chlorine recycling technologies are reviewed and compared. Approaches for cost-effective utilization of chlorine in polyurethane industry are investigated. Chinese academies and enterprises＇ on-going effort on the development of a novel hydrogen chloride oxidation process for the synthesis of chlorine is presented. With this process, the closed loop recycling of chlorine can be realized. Tremendous economic, environmental and social bene- fits can be expected. A wide adoption of this technology will significantly advance the sustainable development of polyurethane industry.