ABSTRACT
Isopropyl alcohol was one of the first chemicals manufactured from petroleum and formed the beginning of the petrochemical industry. There are two commercial routes to isopropyl alcohol, both of which are based on propylene. The sulphates are hydrolyzed to sulphuric acid and isopropyl alcohol. Crude isopropyl alcohol is recovered from the mixture by steam stripping. Isopropyl alcohol is dehydrated by further distillation with diisopropyl ether, which acts as an entrainer. Isopropyl alcohol is collected from the bottom of the distillation column. The reaction mixture from the base of the reactor is cooled and depressurized. Isopropyl alcohol is obtained from the aqueous solution from the bottom of the flash column by distillation. The major outlet for isopropyl alcohol, accounting for around 60% of global demand, is as a solvent for synthetic resins, oils, shellac and gums. Isopropyl alcohol vapour is a mild irritant to eyes, nose and throat. Prolonged exposure can lead to nausea, headaches and mild narcosis.
