Amine Receiver Heating Prevents Solidification During Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of solid amine deposits in amine-bearing plant components during planned or unplanned shutdowns in isocyanate production plants, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased restart efforts.
Innovation Solution
Maintaining the temperature of surfaces in contact with the liquid amine at least 5 K above the melting temperature of the amine through heating and insulation of the amine receiver, pipeline, and associated equipment, thereby preventing solidification during shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plant is shut down during normal operation, then production can be stopped for maintenance or other reasons, but the amine in the amine receiver and pipeline solidifies due to heat loss, causing operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining heating of the amine receiver and pipeline before shutdown occurs. The temperature is kept above the melting point of the amine during normal operation, so that when shutdown happens, the amine remains liquid and does not solidify in the equipment. This preventive heating approach ensures the plant can be restarted without dealing with solidified amine deposits.
2Ease of operation
If heating is applied to prevent amine solidification, then the amine remains liquid during shutdown, but additional energy is required to maintain the temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by heating only specific components that contain amine - namely the amine receiver and the pipeline leading from it. Rather than heating the entire plant, the solution focuses thermal energy application precisely where needed to prevent amine solidification, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring operational reliability.
3Loss of energy
If the temperature of surfaces in contact with amine is not maintained above melting point, then energy consumption is lower, but solid amine deposits form in the amine receiver and pipeline during shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing heating measures before solidification problems can occur. During normal operation, the amine receiver and pipeline are maintained at temperatures above the amine melting point, creating a thermal buffer that prevents solidification during unexpected shutdowns. This counteracts the natural tendency toward cooling and solidification before it becomes a problem.
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 approach significantly reduces the risk of solid amine deposits, allowing for easier and faster plant restarts, minimizing operational disruptions, and reducing the effort required for cleaning and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
Heating the amine receiver, Heating the amine, Heating the pipeline and/or any associated equipment
Implementation Method 2
Insulating the amine receiver, Insulating the pipeline and/or any associated equipment
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for producing isocyanates by phosgenating amines with phosgene, a use and a phosgenation plant for carrying out the process.