Fluid transfer device, reaction device, liquid transfer method and method for producing alkylene oxide adduct

Abstract

To provide a liquid transfer device capable of reducing conveyance failure while reducing pulsation caused by a metering pump.SOLUTION: A liquid transfer device 10 of the present invention comprises a liquid transfer pipe 11, and a metering pump 12 attached to the liquid transfer pipe 11. A first pressure container 14 is attached via a three-way branch pipe 13 to the liquid transfer pipe 11a, which is located upstream of the metering pump 12. A second pressure container 16 is attached via a three-way branch pipe 15 to the liquid transfer pipe 11b, which is located downstream of the metering pump 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid transport device, a reaction device, a liquid transport method, and a method for producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional conveying device is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, which conveys a liquid to a container through a conveying pipeline under pump pressure. In this conveying device, a pressure accumulator equivalent to an air chamber filled with an inert gas and the liquid to be conveyed is disposed in the conveying pipeline between the pump and the container. The pressure accumulator prevents pulsation of the conveyed liquid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2011-527405 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a metering pump such as a reciprocating pump is used, the liquid in the conveying pipeline is repeatedly pressurized and depressurized, which can cause inert gases such as nitrogen dissolved in the liquid to evaporate, resulting in conveying problems such as flow rate abnormalities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As a result of research conducted by the inventors to solve the above-mentioned problems, they found that a suitable configuration for a liquid transfer device equipped with a liquid delivery pipe and a metering pump is one in which at least one first pressure vessel is attached upstream of the metering pump and at least one second pressure vessel is attached downstream of the metering pump.

[0006] Various aspects for solving the above problems will be described. A liquid transfer device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a liquid transfer device including a liquid transfer pipe and a metering pump attached to the liquid transfer pipe, above In , through a branch pipe At least one first pressure vessel is attached at a position upstream of the metering pump, Through a branch pipe At least one second pressure vessel is attached at a position downstream of the metering pump.

[0007] Aspect 2 is the liquid transfer device according to aspect 1, wherein the metering pump is a reciprocating pump. Aspect 3 is the liquid transfer device according to Aspect 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel is an accumulator-type pressure vessel.

[0008] A fourth aspect is the liquid transfer device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein at least one of the first pressure vessels is an air chamber type pressure vessel, and at least one of the second pressure vessels is an accumulator type pressure vessel.

[0009] A fifth aspect is a liquid transfer device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a reaction vessel at a position downstream of the second pressure vessel in the liquid transfer pipe, into which a liquid raw material transferred by the liquid transfer pipe is introduced.

[0010] The reaction apparatus of aspect 6 is a reaction apparatus including the liquid transfer device described in aspect 5, and enables a reaction to occur within the reaction vessel between raw materials introduced into the reaction vessel and the liquid raw materials transferred to the reaction vessel via the liquid transfer device.

[0011] Aspect 7 is the reactor of aspect 6, wherein the reaction vessel is an autoclave. Aspect 8 is the reaction apparatus according to aspect 6, wherein the liquid feedstock is at least one alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide.

[0012] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a method for transporting a liquid, which uses the liquid transporting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. A tenth aspect of the method for producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound includes the steps of transferring at least one alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide to the reaction vessel containing a compound reactive with the alkylene oxide, and reacting the alkylene oxide with the compound to produce the alkylene oxide adduct compound, using the reaction apparatus described in the sixth aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce pulsation caused by a metering pump while reducing transport disturbances. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid transfer device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the reaction apparatus of the second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a modified reactor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a liquid transfer device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 , a liquid transfer device 10 of this embodiment includes a liquid transfer pipe 11 and a metering pump 12 attached to the liquid transfer pipe 11. The type of metering pump 12 used in the liquid transfer device 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is a positive displacement pump that can repeatedly inject a predetermined amount of liquid with high precision. Examples of metering pumps include reciprocating pumps and rotary pumps. Specific examples of reciprocating pumps include piston pumps, plunger pumps, and diaphragm pumps. Specific examples of rotary pumps include gear pumps, vane pumps, and screw pumps.

[0016] A first pressure vessel 14 is attached via a three-way branch pipe 13 to the liquid delivery pipe 11a located upstream of the metering pump 12. The first pressure vessel 14 is disposed so as to be located above the three-way branch pipe 13. A known pressure vessel can be used as the first pressure vessel 14 depending on the flow rate, capacity, etc. Examples of the first pressure vessel 14 include an air chamber type pressure vessel and an accumulator type pressure vessel. Note that in FIG. 1, the first pressure vessel 14 is shown as an air chamber type pressure vessel. An air chamber type pressure vessel is preferable as the first pressure vessel 14. The first pressure vessel 14 may also be configured so that gas is introduced into it through a supply valve (not shown).

[0017] A second pressure vessel 16 is attached to the liquid supply pipe 11b, located downstream of the metering pump 12, via a three-way branch pipe 15. The second pressure vessel 16 is disposed above the three-way branch pipe 15. A known pressure vessel can be used as the second pressure vessel 16 depending on the flow rate, capacity, etc. Examples of the second pressure vessel 16 include an air chamber type pressure vessel and an accumulator type pressure vessel. Note that in FIG. 1, the second pressure vessel 16 is an accumulator type pressure vessel. The interior of the accumulator type pressure vessel is separated by a diaphragm 17 into a liquid phase chamber 16a filled with liquid 18 supplied from the liquid supply pipe 11 and a gas phase chamber 16b filled with gas. The pressure of the gas phase chamber 16b may be adjusted by a supply valve (not shown). An accumulator type pressure vessel is preferred as the second pressure vessel 16.

[0018] (Action of this embodiment) In the liquid transfer device 10 of this embodiment, a first pressure vessel 14 is attached to the liquid transfer pipe 11a located upstream of the metering pump 12. In addition, in the liquid transfer device 10, a second pressure vessel 16 is attached to the liquid transfer pipe 11b located downstream of the metering pump 12.

[0019] 1, liquid 18 supplied from the first pressure vessel 14 side by the pressure of the metering pump 12 is transported in the direction of arrow X while filling the first pressure vessel 14 and the second pressure vessel 16. The inside of the first pressure vessel 14 is filled with liquid 18 while gas 19, such as an inert gas, filled from a supply valve (not shown) is compressed by the pressure. The liquid 18 fills the liquid phase chamber 16a of the second pressure vessel 16.

[0020] When metering pump 12 is in the discharge stroke, the air in second pressure vessel 16 is compressed by the pressure of the pump's discharge, increasing the amount of liquid 18 in second pressure vessel 16. When metering pump 12 is in the suction stroke, that is, while liquid 18 is not being discharged from metering pump 12, no discharge pressure from metering pump 12 is applied, so liquid 18 in second pressure vessel 16 is pushed out by the pressure of the air compressed in second pressure vessel 16. In other words, when metering pump 12 is in the discharge stroke, some of liquid 18 discharged from metering pump 12 flows into second pressure vessel 16, and when metering pump 12 is in the suction stroke, liquid 18 in second pressure vessel 16 flows into liquid delivery piping 11b. This reduces pulsation caused by metering pump 12.

[0021] Furthermore, liquid 18 in the liquid transfer piping is repeatedly pressurized and depressurized by metering pump 12, which can cause inert gases such as nitrogen dissolved in liquid 18 to evaporate. This can lead to transport problems such as flow rate abnormalities. In particular, the upstream side of metering pump 12 tends to be depressurized due to suction, creating an environment in which the inert gas dissolved in liquid 18 is likely to evaporate. First pressure vessel 14 is attached to liquid transfer piping 11a, which is located upstream of metering pump 12, so the vaporized inert gas is trapped in first pressure vessel 14. This reduces transport problems such as metering abnormalities by metering pump 12 or flow rate abnormalities in liquid transfer piping 11.

[0022] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of the liquid transfer device 10 of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) In the liquid transfer device 10 of this embodiment, the second pressure vessel 16 is attached to the liquid transfer pipe 11b located downstream of the metering pump 12. Therefore, the above-mentioned action can reduce pulsation originating from the metering pump 12. Furthermore, the first pressure vessel 14 is attached to the liquid transfer pipe 11a located upstream of the metering pump 12. Therefore, the above-mentioned action can reduce transfer problems such as metering abnormalities or flow rate abnormalities in the liquid transfer pipe 11 even if an inert gas such as dissolved nitrogen in the liquid 18 vaporizes.

[0023] (1-2) Regardless of the type of metering pump 12 that may generate pulsation, the liquid transfer device 10 of this embodiment can reduce the pulsation originating from the metering pump 12. Even if the metering pump 12 is a reciprocating pump that generates relatively large pulsation, the pulsation originating from the metering pump 12 can be reduced.

[0024] (1-3) In the liquid transfer device 10, when at least one of the first pressure vessel 14 and the second pressure vessel 16 is an accumulator-type pressure vessel, a gas phase chamber that is constantly filled with gas is formed in the vessel due to the configuration of the diaphragm. Therefore, the pulsation caused by the metering pump 12 can be stably and continuously reduced.

[0025] (1-4) In the liquid transfer device 10, when the first pressure vessel 14 is an air chamber type pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel 16 is an accumulator type pressure vessel, pulsation caused by the metering pump 12 and transport disturbances in the liquid delivery pipe 11 can be effectively reduced.

[0026] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the reaction apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 2, the reaction apparatus 20 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, but further includes a liquid raw material storage tank 21 upstream of the three-way branch pipe 13. Furthermore, a reaction vessel 22 downstream of the three-way branch pipe 15. The liquid raw material storage tank 21 and the reaction vessel 22 can be appropriately selected from known vessels depending on the type, volume, purpose, etc. of the raw materials used. For example, when the reaction using the raw materials is carried out under pressurized or heated conditions, an autoclave can be used as the reaction vessel 22.

[0027] (Action of this embodiment) When the reaction apparatus 20 is in use, the liquid raw material 23 is stored in the liquid raw material storage tank 21, and the raw material 24 introduced from a separate transfer pipe or the like is contained in the reaction vessel 22. The liquid raw material 23 in the liquid raw material storage tank 21 is transported to the reaction vessel 22 via the liquid delivery pipe 11 by the operation of the metering pump 12. The liquid raw material 23 transported to the reaction vessel 22 and the raw material 24 in the reaction vessel 22 are then mixed or suspended, and a reaction takes place. The types of the liquid raw material 23 used in this embodiment and the raw material 24 introduced into the reaction vessel 22 are appropriately set depending on the purpose.

[0028] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of the reaction device 20 of this embodiment will be described. (2-1) In the reaction apparatus 20 of this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a liquid raw material storage tank 21 is further provided upstream of the three-way branch pipe 13. Furthermore, a reaction vessel 22 is further provided downstream of the three-way branch pipe 15. Therefore, in the liquid transfer device 10 of the first embodiment, pulsation and transfer disturbances are reduced, and therefore the liquid raw material 23 can be accurately introduced into the reaction apparatus 20. As a result, the reaction product can be accurately produced.

[0029] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of the method for producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound of the present invention will now be described.

[0030] The method for producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound of this embodiment uses the reaction apparatus 20 of the second embodiment. An autoclave capable of carrying out the reaction under pressurized or heated conditions is preferably used as the reaction vessel 22. At least one alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide is stored as a liquid raw material in a liquid raw material storage tank 21. A compound reactive with alkylene oxide is contained in the reaction vessel 22. The compound reactive with alkylene oxide is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include compounds having a carboxy group, compounds having a hydroxyl group, and compounds having an amino group. A step of transferring alkylene oxide to the reaction vessel 22 by operating the metering pump 12 is performed. Next, a step of producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound by reacting the alkylene oxide with the compound reactive with the alkylene oxide is performed.

[0031] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of the method for producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound according to this embodiment will be described below. (3-1) The method for producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound of this embodiment was carried out using a reaction apparatus 20. Therefore, alkylene oxide, which is a highly reactive liquid raw material, can be accurately and stably transported to the reaction vessel 22. This allows the production of an alkylene oxide adduct compound, which requires an accurate reaction rate due to the accurate amount of raw material input, to be carried out as intended.

[0032] (Example of change) The above embodiment may be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications may be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0033] The liquid transfer device 10 in the above embodiment is equipped with one first pressure vessel 14. However, two or more first pressure vessels 14 may be provided on the liquid transfer pipe 11a located upstream of the metering pump 12. In such a configuration, pulsation originating from the metering pump 12 can be further reduced. Furthermore, multiple pressure vessels of the same type may be provided as the first pressure vessel, or multiple pressure vessels of different types, such as a combination of an air chamber type pressure vessel and an accumulator type pressure vessel, may be provided.

[0034] The liquid transfer device 10 in the above embodiment is equipped with one second pressure vessel 16. However, two or more second pressure vessels 16 may be provided on the liquid transfer pipe 11b located downstream of the metering pump 12. In such a configuration, the pulsation caused by the metering pump 12 can be further reduced. Furthermore, multiple pressure vessels of the same type may be provided as the second pressure vessel, or multiple pressure vessels of different types, such as a combination of an air chamber type pressure vessel and an accumulator type pressure vessel, may be provided.

[0035] The liquid transfer device 10 or the reaction device 20 in the above embodiment is configured to have one metering pump 12, one second pressure vessel 16, etc., provided downstream of the first pressure vessel 14. However, the liquid transfer device 10 or the reaction device 20 may be configured to have two or more metering pumps, two or more second pressure vessels, and two or more reaction vessels.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3 , for example, a reaction apparatus 30 includes a three-way branch pipe 31 and a liquid feed pipe 32 connected to the three-way branch pipe 31 on a liquid feed pipe 11a between a metering pump 12 and a first pressure vessel 14. A metering pump 33, a second pressure vessel 34, and a reaction vessel (not shown) are additionally installed downstream of the liquid feed pipe 32. A three-way branch pipe 35 is installed on the liquid feed pipe 32, and another metering pump, a second pressure vessel, and a reaction vessel may be additionally installed downstream. When the metering pump is far from the liquid source storage tank 21 located upstream of the liquid transfer device or when multiple metering pumps are used, the amount of liquid source 23 transferred from the liquid source storage tank 21 may not be able to keep up with the demand, resulting in a decrease in the flow rate of the liquid source 23. However, by supplying the liquid source 23 from the first pressure vessel 14, the decrease in the flow rate of the liquid source 23 can be reduced, and the flow rate can be maintained constant. That is, the first pressure vessel 14 not only reduces transport problems caused by vaporization of the inert gas dissolved in the liquid, but also serves as a primary storage vessel for supplying the raw material downstream and keeps the flow rate constant.

[0037] The reaction apparatus 20 of the above embodiment is provided with the liquid raw material storage tank 21 for temporarily storing the liquid raw material 23. However, the reaction apparatus 20 may be configured so that the liquid raw material storage tank 21 is omitted and the liquid raw material 23 can be directly introduced into the liquid delivery pipe 11. [Example]

[0038] Examples will be given below to more specifically explain the configuration and effects of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Test Category 1 (Transportation of liquid raw materials through a reactor) Using the reactors of the following examples, pulsation and transport disturbances occurring when a liquid raw material is transported were evaluated.

[0039] Example 1 The reactor 20 shown in Figure 2 was used. The inner diameter of the liquid supply pipe 11 was 43 mm, the first pressure vessel 14 was an air chamber type pressure vessel, and the second pressure vessel 16 was an accumulator type pressure vessel. The metering pump 12 was a diaphragm pump. The reactor 20 was an autoclave.

[0040] Example 2 The configuration is the same as in Example 1, except that the first pressure vessel 14 is changed to an accumulator-type pressure vessel.

[0041] Example 3 The configuration is the same as in Example 1, except that the second pressure vessel 16 is changed to an air chamber type pressure vessel.

[0042] (Comparative Example 1) The configuration is the same as in Example 1, except that the first pressure vessel 14 is omitted and the second pressure vessel 16 is changed to an air chamber type pressure vessel.

[0043] (Comparative Example 2) The configuration is the same as in Example 1 except that the first pressure vessel 14 is omitted. (Comparative Example 3) The configuration is the same as in Example 1 except that the second pressure vessel 16 is omitted.

[0044] Comparative Example 4 The configuration is the same as in Example 1, except that the second pressure vessel 16 is omitted and the first pressure vessel 14 is changed to an accumulator-type pressure vessel.

[0045] (Comparative Example 5) The configuration is the same as in Example 1, except that the first pressure vessel 14 and the second pressure vessel 16 are omitted.

[0046] [Table 1]

[0047] Test Category 2 (Evaluation of Pulsation) Ethylene oxide, a liquid raw material, was charged into liquid raw material storage tank 21, and ethylene oxide was transported to reaction vessel 22 via liquid transport piping 11 by operating metering pump 12 at a liquid transport rate set to 30 L / min. A pressure gauge was placed in liquid transport piping 11b between metering pump 12 and second pressure vessel 16, and pressure fluctuations were measured for one minute to obtain an average value. Pulsation was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Pressure Fluctuation" column of Table 1.

[0048] Pulsation evaluation criteria 3 (Good): Pressure fluctuations are within ±10% of the average value 2 (Acceptable): When pressure fluctuation exceeds ±10% of the average value and falls within ±20% 1 (Not acceptable): When pressure fluctuation exceeds ±20% of the average value Test Category 3 (Evaluation of flow rate abnormalities) Using the following evaluation method, transport failures due to vaporization of nitrogen dissolved in the liquid raw material were evaluated as flow rate abnormalities. Specifically, a compound reactive with ethylene oxide was first introduced into reaction vessel 22. Next, ethylene oxide in liquid raw material storage tank 21 was transported to reaction vessel 22. Next, the compound reactive with ethylene oxide was reacted with ethylene oxide to produce a reaction product having polyethylene oxide chains. The actual measured value of the mass average molecular weight of the resulting reaction product was measured, and the difference between the design value and the actual measured value of the reaction product was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Flow Rate Abnormality" column in Table 1.

[0049] Evaluation criteria for flow rate abnormalities 3 (Good): Less than 1% 2 (Acceptable): 1% or more, less than 5% 1 (not allowed): 5% or more Test Category 4 (Evaluation of flow rate abnormalities in a configuration with multiple metering pumps) The reactor in each example was configured to have two or more metering pumps, second pressure vessels, and reaction vessels downstream of the first pressure vessel 14 shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the reactor had one liquid raw material storage tank 21, and eight metering pumps, eight second pressure vessels, and eight reaction vessels. The types of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel were as shown in Table 1.

[0050] In this configuration, ethylene oxide in the liquid raw material storage tank 21 was reacted with a compound reactive with ethylene oxide in a reaction vessel in the same manner as in Test Section 3. For the reaction vessel with the longest transport distance from the liquid raw material storage tank 21, the difference between the design value and the actual measured value of the mass average molecular weight of the reactant was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Flow rate abnormality multiple unit operation" column in Table 1.

[0051] -Evaluation of flow rate abnormalities in a configuration with multiple metering pumps 3 (Good): Less than 1% 2 (Acceptable): 1% or more, less than 5% 1 (not allowed): 5% or more As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that a configuration having a first pressure vessel on the upstream side of the metering pump 12 and a second pressure vessel on the downstream side can reduce pressure fluctuations and flow rate abnormalities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10...Liquid transfer device 11,32...Liquid delivery piping 12,33...Metering pump 14...First pressure vessel 16,34...Second pressure vessel 18…Liquid 20, 30...Reactor 22...Reaction vessel 23…Liquid raw material 24...Raw materials

Claims

1. A liquid transfer device comprising a liquid transfer pipe and a metering pump attached to the liquid transfer pipe, A liquid transfer device in which at least one first pressure vessel is attached to the liquid transfer pipe at a position upstream of the metering pump, and at least one second pressure vessel is attached to a position downstream of the metering pump.

2. 2. The liquid transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the metering pump is a reciprocating pump.

3. 2. The liquid transfer device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel is an accumulator-type pressure vessel.

4. 2. The liquid transfer device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first pressure vessels is an air chamber type pressure vessel and at least one of said second pressure vessels is an accumulator type pressure vessel.

5. 2. The liquid transfer device according to claim 1, further comprising a reaction vessel, into which the liquid source to be transferred through the liquid transfer pipe is placed, at a position downstream of the second pressure vessel in the liquid transfer pipe.

6. A reaction apparatus including the liquid transfer device according to claim 5, A reaction apparatus that enables a reaction to occur within the reaction vessel between the raw material introduced into the reaction vessel and the liquid raw material transported to the reaction vessel via the liquid transport device.

7. 7. The reactor of claim 6, wherein the reaction vessel is an autoclave.

8. 7. The reactor according to claim 6, wherein the liquid raw material is at least one alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide.

9. A method for transporting a liquid using the liquid transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. 7. A method for producing an alkylene oxide adduct compound, comprising the steps of: transferring at least one alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide to the reaction vessel containing a compound reactive with the alkylene oxide; and reacting the alkylene oxide with the compound to produce the alkylene oxide adduct compound, using the reaction apparatus according to claim 6.

Images