Dow Technology Licensing Home: What We License: LP Oxo Low Pressure Oxo Process Technology

LP Oxo^SM Low Pressure Oxo Process Technology

Overview

	LP Oxo^SM Low Pressure Oxo Process Technology
	Overview
	Process Advantages
	New Applications

The LP Oxo^SM Low Pressure Oxo Process is the world's leading process for the production of oxo alcohols from olefins. It is the result of a collaboration between Davy Process Technology (DPT) and Union Carbide Corporation that began in 1971. To date, this process technology has been adopted in 27 projects in 14 countries, representing most of the world's oxo alcohols capacity licensed during the last 20 years. The LP Oxo technology has been awarded the Kirkpatrick Chemical Engineering Award as well as an R&D 100 Award for a new generation of catalysts.

Today, the process is licensed by Davy Process Technology in conjunction with The Dow Chemical Company, following its acquisition of Union Carbide in February 2001. Dow has extensive commercial experience with this technology and operates it in four manufacturing facilities worldwide. While DPT provides plant design services and Dow provides proprietary catalysts, the two companies jointly provide operator training, start-up assistance and ongoing technical support to licensees.

The Process

The LP Oxo Process involves the reaction of propylene with synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) to produce butyraldehydes. Usually the normal butyraldehyde is converted to 2-ethylhexanol (2EH). It is also possible to convert normal or iso-butyraldehydes to normal and iso-butanols and other derivatives. 2EH is used mainly in the production of plasticizers to add flexibility to PVC, while butanols and their derivatives are used extensively for their solvent properties.

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