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To develop a 50 gm scale process of nitrobenzene catalytic hydrogenation using a commercial catalyst to make aniline.

Status: New

Lab/Organization
Name & address of the Laboratory/Organization CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL)
Website address www.ncl-india.org
Affiliated to which Department/Ministry Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
CSR Registration Number CSR00017422
Registration under 12A
Registration under 80G
Name of the CSR Nodal Dr. Tanmoy Patra
Contact information of CSR Nodal +91-20-2590-2124, t.patra@ncl.res.in
Principal Investigator Rajendra Kumar, k.rajendra@ncl.res.in
Co- Principal Investigator (Co-PI) Nilesh Mali, na.mali@ncl.res.in
Project Detail
Objective on the basis of need

1. To develop a 50-gram batch scale process for aniline synthesis using nitrobenzene catalytic hydrogenation using the commercial catalyst.

2. To optimize all the process parameters such as temperature, pressure, hydrogen feed rate, catalyst loading, coolant temperature, and its flow rate. Efforts will be made to achieve more than 99 % conversion.

3. To do the catalyst recyclability study.

4. To develop a suitable separation protocol for aniline from the reaction mass.

5. Reaction calorimeter study to determine heat rate due to exothermic reaction and heat rate sensitivity with the process parameters with solvent and without solvent.

Executive summary of the proposed project (In 250 words)

In this proposal, a lab-scale two-litre batch reactor scale nitrobenzene catalytic hydrogenation process to produce aniline is being proposed. POC study at 10 gm nitrobenzene scale has already been done using ethanol as solvent and as catalyst. For the POC study, we are able to get more than 99 % reaction conversion while varying the process parameters. Nitrobenzene catalytic hydrogenation gives aniline as the main product and water as by-product (Figure 1); there are few intermediates reported, which disappear when the reaction completes. In this proposal, we will develop and optimize the nitrobenzene hydrogenation process at a two-litre reactor scale. As this is a highly exothermic reaction, we will optimize the hydrogen feed rate, coolant temperature, and coolant flow rate in such a way that the exothermic heat can be handled without any significant temperature rise of the reactor and without any runaway situation.

Technology Readiness Level (If not a new project but an advancement of existing know how)

TRL -3

Outomes or Deliverables

1. A safe, cost-effective, solvent less or with minimum solvent nitrobenzene catalytic hydrogenation process to produce aniline at 50 gm batch scale using the commercial catalyst.

2. Optimization of all the process parameters such as temperature, pressure, hydrogen feed rate, catalyst loading, reaction time, etc.

3. Catalyst recyclability study.

4. Separation protocol for aniline from the reaction mass.

5. Reaction calorimetry study of nitrobenzene hydrogenation reaction and its heat rate data.

6. Currently, we have this process at the POC stage at TRL 3; efforts will be made to achieve TRL 4 or 5 at the end of this project.

Project aligned with which most relevant UN SDGs Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Duration (In years) 2 years
Expected Impact

1. A safe, cost-effective, solvent less or with minimum solvent nitrobenzene catalytic hydrogenation process to produce aniline at 50 gm batch scale using the commercial catalyst.

2. Optimization of all the process parameters such as temperature, pressure, hydrogen feed rate, catalyst loading, reaction time, etc.

3. Catalyst recyclability study.

4. Separation protocol for aniline from the reaction mass.

5. Reaction calorimetry study of nitrobenzene hydrogenation reaction and its heat rate data.

6. Currently, we have this process at the POC stage at TRL 3; efforts will be made to achieve

 

Implementation model (self- implemented/ outsourced partnership)

Self-implemented

Total Budget (Recurring +Non-Recurring Expenses) Rs 150 lacs
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