Document MKNEprKMgb87BDbBYEwz57Gk
(conoco)
Interoffice Communication
To From
J. A. DeBernardi R. J. Convers
Date
March 9, 1978
subject
R304 Catalyst Change
Further consideration leads me to believe that the copper acetylide most likely to be formed (if any acetylides are formed) when R304 is especially ethylene rich (during start up, shut-down, and low oxy flow rates) is cuprous acetylide which decomposes thermally at 120C.
If chlorine can not be used as insurance against acetylides and an oxy vent gas by-pass around R304 is not available, operation of R304 charged with copper-based oxy catalyst should still be safe as long as R304 is maintained above 120C.
I therefore recommend the following:
(1) Charge R304 with BASF oxy catalyst. (2) Maintain R304 at above 120C during start-up,
shut-down, and low oxy flow rates.
R. J. Convers
sam CC: JADe:JF:JG:HLH FK:AJLu:CMS:WRBe DJR:GJH:KY:FJR
CCR 000016923