Polyols are an important group of industrial compounds. Two examples
of these chemicals are ethylene glycol, used as anti-freeze, and propylene
glycol, used in plastics manufacturing. These compounds are produced
from non-renewable petroleum. The fiber utilization project under development
by the National Corn Growers Association and the polyols catalyst development
project will allow these compounds to be made from corn.
Although the fiber conversion and catalyst processes produce polyols
from a corn derived feed stream, they do not separate these compounds.
To accomplish the economical separation of these chemicals, the NCGA
is working with Michigan State University to develop a technology known
as reactive distillation.
Reactive distillation is a technique in which a mixed chemical stream
is treated with a reactive chemical in the presence of a catalyst. This
results in a mixture of chemicals that can be easily separated, saving
both energy and plant design costs. Using this process in a corn-based
feed stream will dramatically improve the economics of the process.
In addition, reactive distillation is a less capital-intensive process
than current separation technologies. This reduction in capital cost
could overcome a major hurdle in the adoption of the polyols technology
by industry.
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