Acidic Ionic Liquid Regeneration Without Hydrogenation Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for regenerating spent acidic ionic liquids require significant quantities of hydrogenation catalysts, which are costly and need periodic replacement, and these catalysts contribute to environmental concerns due to handling and disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
A process that regenerates spent acidic ionic liquids by contacting them with hydrogen in the absence of a hydrogenation catalyst, reducing the content of conjunct polymers and producing a regenerated acidic ionic liquid suitable for catalyzing hydrocarbon conversions, under conditions of temperature from 100°C to 350°C and pressure from 50 to 5000 psig.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogenation catalysts are used to regenerate spent acidic ionic liquid, then the conjunct polymer content is reduced, but the cost and environmental impact increase due to catalyst replacement and disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hydrogenation catalyst from the regeneration system, achieving conjunct polymer reduction through alternative mechanisms that do not require external catalyst addition, thereby removing the source of environmental harm while maintaining regeneration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The spent acidic ionic liquid is regenerated through self-hydrogenation or auto-catalytic mechanisms inherent to the system, eliminating the need for external hydrogenation catalysts and their associated environmental problems, while still achieving effective conjunct polymer removal
2Reliability
If hydrogenation catalysts are used to regenerate spent acidic ionic liquid, then the conjunct polymer content is reduced, but the operational complexity and cost increase due to periodic replacement and handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydrogenation catalyst from the operational system entirely, eliminating the complexity of catalyst handling, replacement, and disposal while maintaining the ability to reduce conjunct polymer content through alternative regeneration mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive, maintenance-intensive hydrogenation catalysts by using alternative regeneration methods that do not require catalyst materials, thereby reducing operational costs and simplifying plant operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively decreases the conjunct polymer content by at least 50% in the spent acidic ionic liquid, producing a regenerated catalyst that can be reused, thereby reducing catalyst costs and environmental impact while maintaining catalytic activity.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the spent acidic ionic liquid with hydrogen and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst; wherein a content of a conjunct polymer is decreased in the spent acidic ionic liquid to produce a regenerated acidic ionic liquid
Data Source
AI summary
We provide a process for regenerating a spent acidic ionic liquid, comprising contacting the spent acidic ionic liquid with hydrogen and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst; wherein a conjunct polymer content is decreased in the spent acidic ionic liquid to produce regenerated acidic ionic liquid. We also provide a process for making an alkylate gasoline blending component, comprising: a) alkylating a mixture of isoparaffins and olefins using an acidic ionic liquid and an alkyl halide or a hydrogen halide, wherein a conjunct polymer accumulates in a spent acidic ionic liquid; and b) feeding the spent acidic ionic liquid and a hydrogen, and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst, to a regeneration reactor operated under selected hydrogenation conditions to produce a regenerated acidic ionic liquid that is used for the alkylating, wherein the conjunct polymer in the regenerated acidic ionic liquid is decreased by at least 50 wt %.