Comparison of Different Reactor Types Used in the Manufacture of Ethoxylated, Propoxylated Products

Ethoxylation and/or propoxylation are performed in industry to produce surfactants and polyglycols. The reaction is normally promoted by an alkaline catalyst (such as NaOH or KOH) and is performed in gas−liquid stirred reactors, Venturi loop reactors, and spray tower loop reactors. In the first two types of reactors, the gas phase is dispersed into the liquid phase; on the contrary, in the latter case, the liquid phase is dispersed into the gaseous one. In this paper, the key factors in ethoxylation/propoxylation technology will be examined:  (i) the types of reactors employed and their performances; (ii) the role of kinetics and mass transfer in the process; and (iii) safety.