Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Open Access

Abstract

Synthesis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Polyster Fiber from Bio Based Ethanol in a Noble Catalytic Conversion Process in a Fixed Bed Reactor

Daniel Tasew*, Nurlign Tefera

The catalytic conversion of ethanol to Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) represents a significant advancement in sustainable polymer production, utilizing renewable feedstock’s and pioneering catalytic methodologies. This review examines the intricate multi-step catalytic pathways essential for converting bio-derived ethanol into PET, with a focus on recent innovations in eco-friendly catalyst development and enhancing catalytic efficiency, specifically within fixed bed reactors. The process comprises several key stages: Dehydration of ethanol to ethylene, oxidation of ethylene to Ethylene Glycol (EG) and polymerization of EG with Terephthalic Acid (TPA) to synthesize PET. Each stage presents distinct challenges and opportunities for catalyst improvement and process refinement within the fixed bed reactor configuration. Initially, the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene in a fixed bed reactor requires catalysts with high selectivity, activity and stability. Advanced research has produced promising catalysts like heteropoly acids and zeolites, achieving optimal performance while minimizing energy consumption and by-product formation in the fixed bed setup. The oxidation of ethylene to EG, also within a fixed bed reactor, involves complex reactions. Catalysts such as supported metal oxides and novel nanostructured materials play a crucial role in enhancing reaction kinetics and improving selectivity towards EG, thereby increasing overall process efficiency in the fixed bed environment. The final stage, polymerizing EG with TPA to form PET, necessitates precise control over molecular weight distribution and polymer chain architecture. Innovations in catalyst design, including organometallic complexes and advanced coordination compounds, have led to more efficient polymerization processes in fixed bed reactors, yielding high-quality PET with desirable physicochemical properties.

Published Date: 2025-06-20; Received Date: 2024-07-11