Microwave chemical process and chemical plant

Abstract

Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd. (MWCC) will innovate the chemical/energy industry by utilizing novel microwave chemical platform technology. Since the rise of the chemical industry 150 years ago, the industry has relied on transmission of energy through external and indirect means of heating an entire object. Microwaves, which are also used in microwave ovens, transmit energy internally and directly to specific molecules only. We took this technology and developed a unique manufacturing process to design a chemical reaction at a molecular level that is an "energy-saving," "highly efficient," "compact" and "new property" production. We will spread this microwave chemical process throughout the chemical and energy industry. In 2014, the world first MWchemical reactor/process in commercial scale was demonstrated by MWCC, at their mother factory in Osaka, Japan. This factory is producing fatty acid butyl ester with capacity of 3200 t/year. The product is sold to Toyo Ink Co., Ltd. and other several ink producers. Second commercial-scale MW-chemical reactor/process, built under JV between MWCC and Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd., will be commissioned in 2016. This process will have 1000 t/year capacity to produce sucrose ester. For MW process, the applicable reaction type is broad, such as, condensation, esterification, polymerization, distillation/extraction, and some other unique synthesizes. Process does not select reaction system, applicable for liquid-solid, gas-solid and emulsion system; systems with highviscosity, slurry and powder. Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd. was established in 2007 to realize our desire to "spread innovative technologies from Japan to the world," "establish a new technology venture in Japan" and "start a business that contributes to environmental protection." We are committed to the challenge of promoting a new industry in the area where the diverse fields of chemistry, microwaves, and engineering intersect.