[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of polyether polyols, safety technical instructions of polyether polyols

Polyether polyol properties

Polyether polyols (Polyether Polyols) are a class of polymers with multiple hydroxyl groups (-OH), which are produced primarily by the ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide. Its physical properties include a clear to translucent liquid state, with a high viscosity that increases with increasing molecular weight. Polyether polyols have good chemical stability, are not easy to react with acids, alkalis and other chemicals, and have good water resistance and heat resistance. The ether bond in its molecular structure makes it have a lower glass transition temperature and good flexibility.

Polyether polyol use

Polyether polyols have a wide range of applications in industrial and civil fields. The main use is as a raw material for polyurethane foam. Rigid polyurethane foam is widely used in building insulation materials, refrigerators and cold storage insulation layer. Flexible polyurethane foam is mainly used in furniture, mattresses and car seats. Polyether polyols are also used in the production of elastomers, coatings, adhesives and sealants, and the like. There are also applications in the textile, electronic and medical fields, such as the preparation of fibers and medical devices.

Polyether polyol upstream and downstream raw materials

The production of polyether polyols requires a variety of raw materials and intermediates. The main upstream raw materials include propylene oxide (PO) and ethylene oxide (EO), which generate polyether polyols through ring-opening polymerization. The catalyst is typically a basic catalyst such as potassium hydroxide or a double metal cyanide catalyst. Starter agents, such as glycerol, trimethylolpropane and other multifunctional compounds, are also used in the production process. Downstream products mainly include polyurethane foam, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, etc., which are widely used in construction, automobile, furniture, textile and other industries.

Propylene oxide and ethylene oxide sources

Propylene oxide and ethylene oxide are the key raw materials for the production of polyether polyols. Propylene oxide is typically produced by a chlorination process, a batch chlorohydrin process, or a co-oxidation process of propylene. Chlorination method is widely used because of its simple process, but the environmental pollution is large, and co-oxidation method is a method that has developed rapidly in recent years, which has good economy and environmental protection. Ethylene oxide is mainly produced by the direct oxidation of ethylene, usually using a silver catalyst, and the reaction is carried out at 200-300°C and 15-25 atmospheres.

Polyether polyol production process

The production process of polyether polyols mainly includes ring-opening polymerization. The starting agent is copolymerized with propylene oxide and ethylene oxide under the action of a catalyst. The reaction temperature is generally controlled at 100-150 ° C. and the pressure is 0.2-0.4 MPa. During the reaction, the molecular structure and properties of polyether polyol can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio of propylene oxide to ethylene oxide. After the reaction, the catalyst, unreacted monomers and by-products are removed to obtain a pure polyether polyol product.

Polyether polyol storage method

Polyether polyols need to be protected from moisture, fire and high temperatures during storage. Because it is sensitive to moisture, it should be stored in a sealed container to avoid contact with moisture in the air. Polyether polyols have a certain degree of flammability and should be kept away from fire sources and high temperature environments. The storage temperature is generally controlled between 10-30°C. Storage locations should be well ventilated and equipped with appropriate fire fighting facilities to respond to emergencies.

Polyether Polyol Market Prospects

The demand for polyether polyols is huge, especially in the fields of construction, automobile and furniture. With the improvement of energy conservation and environmental protection requirements, the demand for polyurethane insulation materials is expected to continue to grow, thus driving the development of the polyether polyol market. The continuous development of new materials and new processes has also opened up new areas for the application of polyether polyols, such as high-performance elastomers and high-end coatings. The research and application of bio-based polyether polyols will also bring new growth points to the market.

Environmental and safety issues

In the production and use of polyether polyols, attention should be paid to environmental protection and safety issues. Harmful waste gas and wastewater may be produced in the production process, which need to be effectively treated to reduce environmental pollution. Operators shall strictly abide by the safety operation regulations to prevent accidents such as fire and explosion. With the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the application of green production processes and waste recycling technologies will become an important direction for the development of the industry.

Summary

As an important chemical raw material, polyether polyol has wide application prospect and market demand. Its excellent performance and diverse uses make it play an important role in the construction, automobile, furniture and other industries. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, polyether polyols will continue to develop and the application fields will continue to expand. In order to achieve sustainable development, the industry needs to strengthen environmental protection and safety management, and promote the application of green production processes and technologies.