Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Universal solvent and precursor to PMMA and bisphenol A

Molecular Structure

Acetone molecular structure
2D structure of Acetone

Molecular Details

Molecular Formula(CH₃)₂CO
Molecular Weight58.08 g/mol
StateLiquid at standard conditions

Olefinverbund Integration

⬅️ Inputs (Starting Materials): Isopropanol, Cumene

➡️ Outputs (Products): Methyl Methacrylate, Bisphenol A, Solvent

Chemistry & Engineering

Reaction EquationDirect Dehydrogenation of IPA or Cumene Oxidation byproduct
ThermodynamicsDehydrogenation is endothermic
Catalyst SystemCopper/Zinc or supported Platinum
Reactor ClassFixed bed multitubular
Process ConsiderationsUniversal solvent and cleaning agent.

Extraterrestrial Production Pattern

  1. Dehydrogenation of isopropanol over ZnO/Cu catalyst at 400-500°C
  2. Alternative: Cumene process co-product with phenol
  3. Direct fermentation routes possible
  4. Distillation for purification

Applications

  • Solvent for plastics and fibers
  • Methyl methacrylate (MMA) production
  • Bisphenol A synthesis
  • Nail polish remover and cleaning agent

Reaction Diagram

Reaction diagram
Synthesis reaction pathway

Overall Reaction: C6H5CH(CH3)2 + O2 -> C6H5OH + CH3COCH3

Unit Operations

Process steps following chemical engineering unit operation principles:

StepOperationDescription
1Cumene OxidationAir oxidation at 80-130°C to form cumene hydroperoxide
2CHP ConcentrationConcentrate hydroperoxide to 80%
3Acid CleavageH₂SO₄ catalyzed decomposition at 60-80°C
4NeutralizationNeutralize acid catalyst
5Acetone DistillationDistill to separate acetone from phenol
6Product FinishingFinal purification to >99.5%

S88 Batch Control Model

This module follows the ISA-88 (S88) batch control standard. Below is a simplified BatchML schema for educational purposes:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- ISA-88 Batch Control Model for Acetone -->
<!-- Educational schema - simplified for demonstration -->
<BatchML xmlns="http://www.wbf.org/xml/B2MML-V0600">
  
  <ProcessCell ID="ACETONE_CUMENE_CELL">
    <Description>Process cell for Acetone production</Description>
    
    <Unit ID="ACETONE_CUMENE">
      <Description>Main synthesis unit</Description>
      
      <!-- Equipment Modules -->
      <EquipmentModule ID="OXIDIZER">
        <Description>Oxidizer</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="CONCENTRATOR">
        <Description>Concentrator</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="CLEAVAGE_REACTOR">
        <Description>Cleavage Reactor</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="NEUTRALIZER">
        <Description>Neutralizer</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="COLUMN">
        <Description>Column</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="PRODUCT_TANK">
        <Description>Product Tank</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
    </Unit>
  </ProcessCell>
  
  <MasterRecipe ID="ACETONE_CUMENE_RECIPE">
    <Description>Master recipe for Acetone</Description>
    <ProductID>ACETONE</ProductID>
    
    <UnitProcedure ID="ACETONE_CUMENE_UP">
      <Description>Unit procedure for synthesis</Description>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_01">
        <Description>Operation 1</Description>
        <Phase ID="OXIDIZE">
          <Description>Oxidize phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_02">
        <Description>Operation 2</Description>
        <Phase ID="CONCENTRATE">
          <Description>Concentrate phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_03">
        <Description>Operation 3</Description>
        <Phase ID="CLEAVE">
          <Description>Cleave phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_04">
        <Description>Operation 4</Description>
        <Phase ID="NEUTRALIZE">
          <Description>Neutralize phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_05">
        <Description>Operation 5</Description>
        <Phase ID="DISTILL">
          <Description>Distill phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_06">
        <Description>Operation 6</Description>
        <Phase ID="FINISH">
          <Description>Finish phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
    </UnitProcedure>
  </MasterRecipe>
  
</BatchML>

**Key S88 Concepts:**
- **Process Cell**: The physical grouping containing all equipment for this process
- **Unit**: The major equipment that performs the synthesis
- **Equipment Modules**: Individual pieces of equipment (reactors, columns, etc.)
- **Unit Procedure**: The sequence of operations to produce the product
- **Phases**: The lowest level of procedural control (e.g., REACT, SEPARATE, PURIFY)

Key S88 Concepts:
Process Cell: Physical grouping containing all equipment
Unit: Major equipment performing synthesis
Equipment Modules: Individual pieces (reactors, columns, etc.)
Phases: Lowest level of procedural control (REACT, SEPARATE, etc.)


This Synthesis Module is part of the 100chemicals Olefinverbund — an integrated chemical production network designed for extraterrestrial civilization on Moon and Mars.