Boreskov Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of Russian ...

REACTORS FOR SYNTHESIS OF LACTIDED.S. Khlopov, E.V. Varlamova, I.S. Emelianova, R.A. Kozlovsky,I.A. Kozlovsky, J.P. Suchkov, V.V. Kolbakov*, V.F. ShvetsPP-V-6D.I. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Chair of PetrochemicalSynthesis, 9 Miusskaya Square, Moscow, 125047, Russia,tel/fax +7(499)978-95-54, e-mail: kra@muctr.edu.ru*Nordbiochem Ltd., Kuuse 2, Põlva, 63303 Estonia, e-mail: info@nordbiochem.euIntroductionThe best solution of the problem of polymeric wastes is replacement of “iternal”petrochemical polymers with bio-degradable polymers. One the most promising of suchpolymers is polylactic acid (PLA) which can be synthesized from biotechnologicallyproduced L-lactic acid (LA). At present the most economical way to produce PLA is knownto be polymerization of L-Lactide which in tern can be synthesized by depolymerization ofoligomers of lactic acid (OLA). So the general chemical chain can be shown as follows:nHOCH 3COOH-(n-1)H 2 OHOCH 3COOnHT, Cat.H 3 COOOOCH 3PLAThe aim of presented work was to compare different types of reactor for first and secondstages of chemical chain clown above: oligomerisation of LA and synthesis of lactid.ExperimentFor both of reactions three types of reactor were investigated:1. Vertical tubular flow reactor with fixed bed.2. Semibatch mixed reactor.3. Rotor film evaporator.Different reaction conditions were being varied for these reactor in both processes:temperature, pressure, type of catalyst, contact time, medium.ResultsThe best results on synthesis of OLA were obtained in the semibatch mixed reactor. Theprocess can be carried out as catalytically ant without catalyst under temperature 170-180 °C.Reaction should be conducted preferably under continuous flow of N 2 in order to facilitate467