Isopropanol is produced by combining water and Propylene, to create Isopropanol which has a SG (Specific Gravity) of 0.79. There are two methods of producing Isopropanol, the first being the direct hydration reaction method, which is the newer method of production.  The second method of producing Isopropanol is known as the sulphonation reaction process. Full details of these two methods of Isopropanol production can be found on the Isopropanol Manufacture pages of this website.

The main concerns about Isopropanol safety relate to its flammability and the potential hazards it can present to the user through exposure via ingestion, skin contact or inhalation.  Due to its highly Flammable nature, it is vital that Isopropanol is kept away from potential sources of ignition including static electricity, naked flames and sparks.  Isopropanol is relatively non-Toxic and therefore is often considered to be a safer alternative to other Solvents such as Methanol or Ethylene Glycol.

However, long-term contact with the skin is very drying and causes de-fatting of the skin so protective gloves should always be worn when working with or handling this material.  Isopropanol has a strong odour and should always be used in a well-ventilated area or under fume extraction where large quantities are being handled.

Isopropanol poisoning can occur from absorption, inhalation or ingestion and symptoms of Isopropanol poisoning include headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness and flushing.  As Isopropanol causes depression of the central nervous system, long term exposure can result in anaesthesia and even coma.

Full details of Isopropanol Safety and Isopropanol Hazards, including actions to be taken in the event of a spillage and how to handle waste material, can be found on the pages of this website entitled Isopropanol Safety and Isopropanol Hazards.

Isopropanol has many and varied uses.  It is often used as a general cleaner and solvent in industry and is a major ingredient in fuel additives.  Isopropanol is used in aerosol form as a windscreen de-icer and can also be used in diluted form to fill car washer bottles in order to prevent freezing in cold weather.

Isopropanol is often used for the cleaning of electrical parts, for hi-fi equipment and for computers and computer-related equipment such as computer monitor screens, laptops and keyboards.  Mobile phones can be cleaned using Isopropanol, as can electronic contact pins, CD's and DVD's.  IPA can be used to clean paintballs before re-use.  Propal-2-ol can also be used to impregnate cleaning wipes for the cleaning of computer, telephone and other related equipment.  It is also used to remove traces of brake fluid from hydraulic brake systems.

Isopropyl Alcohol is widely used for preserving biological specimens and is considered a safer alternative to Formaldehyde.  It is also used for sterilizing and in the preparation of sterilized wipes which may be impregnated with Isopropyl Alcohol. 

Uses

Isopropanol Uses are many and varied.  Isopropanol is one of the most widely used Solvents and is commonly available worldwide.  Isopropanol is widely used as a cleaning fluid, often for electrical parts such as for computer, hi-fi and mobile phone cleaning.  Isopropanol is also commonly known as Isopropyl Alcohol, IPA, Propan-2-ol and Rubbing Alcohol.

Isopropanol is used as a general cleaner and solvent in industry.  It is a major ingredient in fuel additives.  IPA Uses include removing traces of brake fluid from hydraulic braking systems and removing paint from paintballs so that they can be re-used.  Isopropanol is often used for cleaning computer-related equipment such as monitor screens, laptops, keyboards, CD's, DVD's and electronic contact pins.

IPA is considered a relatively safe alternative to other Solvents such as Methanol or Ethylene Glycol, as it is not as Toxic.  However, as when handling any other Solvent, care must be taken when handling Isopropanol as poisoning can occur from absorption, ingestion and inhalation.  Isopropanol has a strong odour and should always be used in a well-ventilated area.  Isopropanol dries the skin by de-fatting, so skin  contact should be avoided and gloves should always be worn when working with the material.

A patient suffering from Isopropanol poisoning may display symptoms of sickness and nausea, vomiting, dizziness and depression of the central nervous system which can lead to anaesthesia and even coma.  The chemical formula of Isopropanol is C₃H₃O. 

Manufacture

There are two methods for Isopropanol manufacture from Propylene. The first method of Isopropanol manufacture is the newer method of direct hydration reaction. The older method of Isopropanol manufacture is a sulphonation reaction followed by hydrolysis.

The hydration reaction of Isopropanol manufacture can be either in the liquid or gas phase and is slightly exothermic.  The general reaction of Isopropanol manufacture is as follows:-

CH₃CHCH₂ + H₂O CH₃CHOHCH₃

When in the liquid phase, high pressures are used of 80 to 100 atmospheres and temperatures of approximately 150 degrees C.  A catalyst is used in the reaction made from sulphonated Polystyrene Cation Exchange Resin.  This process can produce over 90% Isopropanol from a 75% Propylene conversion; an impotant bi--product from the reaction is Di-isopropyl Ether at approximately 5%.

Four main stages are involved in this process during the Isopropanol manufacture. These are:-

1. Propylene feed and recovery column
2. Reaction chamber
3. Aqueous Isopropanol Azeotropic distillation column
4. Drying column

Between stages one and two, a residual gas separation column is used to collect Propylene gas residues and return them to stage one.

A Water supply is use at the reaction vessel from an external source plus water is also added to this supply by returning it from the distillation column when it is removed from Aqueous Isopropanol.

An alternative and older route is via sulphonation in a similar reaction to that used for Ethylene in the presence of Sulphuric Acid.  However, this process is not as selective as the vapour phase method; reaction conditions are also milder than for Ethylene.

In this process, Sulphuric Acid reacts with Propylene to form Isopropyl Sulphate, which is hydrolyzed with steam to produce Sulphuric Acid and IPA.  The crude IPA is then distilled to achieve the correct purity.

The direct hydration process (newer process) can be carried out in the gas phase over a Phosphoric Acid based fixed-bed catalyst, or in the liquid phase using a soluble tungsten catalyst.

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