3/10/2015

StyreneMonomer

STYRENEMONOMER:ENVIRONMENTAL,HEALTH&SAFETYGUIDELINES
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2.ProductInformationandCharacteristics

2.3.ManufacturingandUse
Home
1.IntroductionandPurpose
2.ProductionInformationand
ProductCharacteristics
2.1GeneralDescriptionand
HazardousProperties
2.2PhysicalProperties
2.3ManufacturingandQuality
2.4InhibitionofStyrene
(Chemistry,Mechanismand
Levels)
2.4.1SafetyandQuality
2.4.2InhibitionChemistry
2.4.3StandardInhibitorLevels
2.5EnvironmentalEffects
2.6TransportClassifications
(Europe)
2.7EuropeanRegulatory
Environment

The conventional method for producing styrene involves two steps: the alkylation of
benzenewithethylenetoproduceethylbenzenefollowedbydehydrogenationofthe
ethyl benzene to produce styrene (refer to Figure 2). Over the almost fifty years of
practicingtheconventionaltwostepprocessrefinementshaveconstantlybeenmade
toimproveconversionandselectivitytoethylbenzeneandfinallytostyrenealongwith
design changes to conserve and utilize the energy in particular from the exothermic
alkylation step. The traditional aluminum chloride catalyst used in this alkylation is
slowlybeingreplacedbyzeolitecatalysttechnology.Currentlythepredominantroute
forthecommercialproductionofstyreneisbydehydrogenationofethylbenzeneinthe
presenceofsteamoveracatalyst(ironoxide)ineitherfixedbedadiabaticortubular
isothermal reactors. Another route involves coproduction of styrene and propylene
oxide via hydroperoxidation of ethyl benzene. Limited scale extraction from steam
crackerpyrolysisgasolineisalsopractised.
Formoredetailsonproductiontechnologiesandthelatesttechnologytrends,please
refertoReference1and2ofthebibliography.
Formoreinformationonethylbenzene(CASRN:100414ECNo.:2028494Annex
IIndexNo.:601023004)pleaserefertoCEFICsEnvironmental,HealthandSafety
Guidelines.

2.8StyreneExtendedSDS
3.HealthAspects
4.EnvironmentalAspects
5.Designandconstructionof
transportandstorageequipment
6.Transport,Loadingand
StorageOperations
7.Emergencyprocedures
8.Personalprotection,firstaid
andmedicaltreatment
9.Styrene:REACHConsortium
Appendices
Bibliography

Figure2:DehydrogenationofEthylbenzenetoStyrene

Thespecificationandanalyticalmethodsforstyrenehavechangedthroughtheyears.
Themajorityofthemanufacturershavedefinedtheirsalesspecificationsaccordingto
the standard D2827 Standard Specification for Styrene Monomer of the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Key parameters of a typical sales
specificationare:aminimumpurityof99.7wt.%andamaximumcolourof10onthe
PlatinumCobalt(PtCo)scale,whilethespecifiedimpuritiesandtheirconcentrations
depend upon the manufacturing route employed, along with plant performance
characteristics.Thetypicalinhibitorcontentofthestandardgradeis1015ppmTBC
(4tertbutylcatechol),whileahigherdosemaybedefinedinthecustomerspecification
dependingontheexpectedstorageperiodanduseconditionsatthecustomersite.
Styrene is widely used in the manufacture of resins, plastics, and latices/emulsion
polymersbybothbatchandcontinuousmasspolymerisationbysolution,suspension,
and emulsion processes and by various modifications and combinations of these
techniques. Styrene responds to many different initiators, including peroxides and
otherfreeradicalinitiators,redoxinitiatorsystems,andionicinitiators.Styrenecanbe
reacted with acrylates, methacrylates, acrylonitrile, butadiene, divinyl benzene and
maleicanhydride,toformcopolymers.
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StyreneMonomer

In2004theglobalstyrenedemandwasreportedtobeover24,000Kt(datacalculated
fromReference1).Figure3presentstheglobalstyrenepolymerderivativesdemand
basedon2004data.Althoughdeclininginproportionpolystyreneisbyfarthelargest
segment(46%)primarilyusedinpackaging,disposables,electronicsandappliances,
followedbyexpandablepolystyrene(16%)andacrylonitrilebutadienestyrene(ABS)
resins(14%).Theheatresistant,toughABSresinsarewidelyusedforappliancesand
telephone casings, luggage, sporting helmets, pipe fittings and automotive parts.
StyreneButadiene(SB)latexandSBrubberaccountfor10%oftheglobaldemand.
SBlatexfindsitsuseaspapercoatingforglossymagazines,ascomponentofcarpet
andupholsterybacking,fortheadhesiveproductionandforlatexpaints.Themajority
ofSBrubberisconsumedinthemanufactureoftires,automobilepartsandelectronic
components. Unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) are used over a broad spread of
industries,mainlytheconstruction,boatbuilding,automotiveandelectricalindustries
(5%oftheglobalstyrenepolymerderivativedemand,seeFigure6).Detailsonthese
andotherapplicationscanbefoundinReference2orconsultthefollowingwebsite:
www.styreneforum.org.

CEFIC
AvenueEVanNieuwenhuyse4
B1160Brussels
JacquesMigniot
T+3226767227
F+3226767447
Ejmi@cefic.be

sitelastupdated14December2012

http://www.styrenemonomer.org/2.3.html

Figure3:GlobalDemandforStyrenePolymerDerivativesin2004

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