The economics of sugar hydrogenloysis for the commercial production of an automotive antifreeze

This investigation was based upon the work of Lenth and DuPuis and Stengel and Maple, who hydrogenated sugar suspended in methanol at 240°C and 1500 lbs. per sq. in. for three hours with the primary purpose of developing a new process. to produce glycerine to make up for the shortage created in World War II. The products of the hydrogenation were water, propylene glycol, glycerol and congeners, and a residue made up of the tarry decomposition products of sugar.

The actual glycerol and congeners fraction obtained by Lenth and DuPuis was secured from the Miner Laboratories in Chicago. This impure glycerine fraction and propylene glycol were mixed together, and its suitability as an automotive antifreeze was tested. AB far as viscosity and freezing point depression were concerned, such an automotive antifreeze compares favorably with ethylene glycol.

The economics of the process were studied, and a tentative plant was designed to produce 3000 tons per year which would require a capital investment of about $529,775 and have a wholesale price of $0.217 per lb. with sugar costing $0.04. This coat may be reduced by catalyst recovery and a reduction in sugar cost.