Adsorbent Regeneration via Solvent Extraction

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for regenerating adsorbent materials used in industrial facilities to remove sulfur, vanadium, and nickel compounds from hydrocarbon oils are energy-intensive and increase operational and maintenance costs, reducing overall efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a solvent composition, including a mixture of polar and non-polar compounds, to facilitate the removal of oil and impurities from spent adsorbent materials, allowing for repeated use of the adsorbent and reducing energy consumption through solvent recycling and efficient adsorption processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal regeneration at high temperatures is used to remove organics from adsorbent material, then the adsorbent material can be regenerated, but the energy consumption and downtime increase operational and maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorbent material regenerationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the regeneration parameter from high temperature thermal treatment to low temperature solvent-based extraction. The solvent composition (mixing polar and non-polar solvents) enables effective removal of adsorbed organics at much lower temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining regeneration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal regeneration mechanism with a chemical/solvent-based mechanism. Instead of using heat to desorb and vaporize organics, the system uses a specially formulated solvent composition that chemically interacts with and extracts the adsorbed organics from the adsorbent material, substituting thermal energy with chemical extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If thermal regeneration at high temperatures is used to remove organics from adsorbent material, then the adsorbent material can be regenerated, but the downtime increases operational and maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorbent material regenerationVSAvoidregeneration downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the regeneration parameter from high temperature thermal treatment to low temperature solvent-based extraction. The solvent composition (mixing polar and non-polar solvents) enables effective removal of adsorbed organics at much lower temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining regeneration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal regeneration mechanism with a chemical/solvent-based mechanism. Instead of using heat to desorb and vaporize organics, the system uses a specially formulated solvent composition that chemically interacts with and extracts the adsorbed organics from the adsorbent material, substituting thermal energy with chemical extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a solvent composition is used to remove oil and impurities from spent adsorbent material, then energy consumption is reduced, but the complexity of the regeneration system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidregeneration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional solvent composition that simultaneously performs multiple functions: (1) extracting adsorbed organics from the adsorbent material, (2) dissolving impurities, and (3) allowing for solvent recovery and recycling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate processing steps and equipment, thereby managing system complexity while achieving low energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a solvent recovery and recycling system where the spent solvent is separated from the extracted organics and impurities, then reused in subsequent regeneration cycles. This recovery approach reduces the need for continuous fresh solvent supply and waste disposal infrastructure, managing system complexity while maintaining low energy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

The method effectively regenerates adsorbent materials, achieving high oil and impurity removal efficiency with reduced energy use and operational costs, enabling multiple cycles of use and minimizing capital expenditures.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the adsorbent material with a solvent composition to facilitate removing oil and impurities from the spent adsorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

directing at least one of an oil and an oil/petroleum ether solution through the adsorption device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExtraction: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 3

pass a heavy oil through an adsorption column that is packed with an adsorbent material having a strong affinity for sulfur, vanadium, and nickel compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS8187991B2Methods for regeneration of adsorbent material

Publication Date: 2012.05.29 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A method of regenerating adsorbent material includes providing a spent adsorbent material and contacting the adsorbent material with a solvent composition to facilitate removing oil and impurities from the spent solvent material.