26 November 2018
TDI Production Process In the TDI process,
toluene diamine (TDA) is manufactured by
the catalytic reaction of dinitrotoluene (DNT).
TDA is in turn reacted with phosgene (carbonyl chloride)
to produce toluene diisocyanate (TDI).
Figure 3 gives a view of the production steps to produce TDI.
BASF TDI is an 80:20 mixture of
the 2,4-and 2,6-TDI isomers assaying 99.5% TDI minimum.
TDI is produced in a number of grades
that differ slightly in acidity and hydrolyzable chloride content.
Increased acidity of TDI allows broader processing latitude
in some applications.
Type I is used in flexible slab polyurethane foam and
Type II is used primarily in coating, adhesive, sealant,
and elastomer (CASE) applications
wherever an intermediate prepolymer is produced.
Properties of TDI
TDI is more dense than water and will sink to the bottom
of waterfilled containers.
Although it reacts exothermically with water,
the rate of reaction is very slow at temperatures
below 50°C (122°F).
At higher temperatures the reaction becomes progressively
more vigorous and can be violent.
The reaction of TDI with water forms both
carbon dioxide (CO2) and insoluble polyurea compounds.
Even small quantities of water may produce s
ufficient CO2 to rupture sealed containers.
DETAILS
The water level of river Rhine
is currently on an all-time low,
impacting transport by ship.
Despite maximum shift to alternative means of transport
(pipeline, trucks and rail), not all raw materials
can be supplied to BASF’s Ludwigshafen site.
Steps in the production of TDI
Therefore, BASF will have
to stop the TDI production in Ludwigshafen.
Restart of production depends on
improved Rhine water level.
BASF is in close contact with its customers.
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Media Relations
Daniela Rechenberger
Phone: +49 621 60-20916
daniela.rechenberger@basf.com
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