Abstract:
A multistage tubular reaction system and method for preparing methylol derivatives of an aldehyde includes a tubular reaction system with a plurality of successive reactor stages comprising a plurality of jacketed reaction tubes provided with a cooling system adapted to control flow of a cooling medium through said jacketed reaction tubes. The cooling medium flow is controlled independently in different stages in response to temperature measurements in the reaction system to regulate temperature. In order to further reduce temperature spikes and byproduct generation, aldehyde is stepwise added to the production stream at a plurality of feed ports proximate to reaction tubes equipped with tube inserts to enhance mixing and heat transfer.