Ammonium Salt Neutralization in Aqueous Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing mono- and di-ammonium salts from fumaric and succinic acids on an industrial scale face challenges such as the use of volatile solvents, expensive catalysts, high energy expenditure, and safety concerns, limiting their scalability and quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves neutralizing the corresponding acid with a carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate in an aqueous medium at a controlled temperature, followed by separation and drying at moderate temperatures, using a molar stoichiometry greater than 4-5% and recycling the filtrate, to achieve high yields and purity of ammonium salts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hot alcoholic solution is used for neutralization, then reaction rate increases, but solvent recovery cost and energy expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from alcoholic to aqueous medium and adjusts the temperature parameter to room temperature, eliminating the need for energy-intensive solvent recovery while maintaining acceptable reaction rates through optimized stoichiometry and pH control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water as a disposable-like solvent that requires no recovery process, accepting that the solvent remains in the final product or is easily separated, thereby eliminating complex and expensive solvent recovery infrastructure
2Ease of manufacture
If pressurized equipment and hydrogen are used for hydrogenation, then ammonium succinate can be obtained from maleic acid, but safety measures cost and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydrogenation step from the synthesis pathway by using maleic acid directly as the starting material rather than producing it in situ, and eliminates the need for pressurized conditions by using direct neutralization of the dicarboxylic acid with ammonia in aqueous solution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified copy of the hydrogenation pathway by directly neutralizing the dicarboxylic acid (fumaric or maleic) with ammonia, achieving the same ammonium salt product without the complex hydrogenation machinery
3Productivity
If volatile solvents and ammonia gas are used under pressure, then neutralization reaction proceeds efficiently, but safety limits and cooling requirements increase operational cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water as an inert, non-volatile solvent medium that eliminates flammability and vapor pressure hazards, allowing the neutralization reaction to proceed safely at atmospheric pressure with aqueous ammonia instead of gaseous ammonia
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful volatile alcoholic solvent into a benign aqueous medium, and transforms the safety hazard of pressurized gaseous ammonia into the safer form of aqueous ammonia solution, maintaining reaction efficiency while eliminating harmful factors
4Manufacturing precision
If multistage vacuum drying is used to prevent succinimide formation, then product quality is maintained, but energy expenditure and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drying temperature parameter to a moderate range (40-60°C) and uses a single-stage process with optimized filtration, preventing succinimide formation through controlled pH and temperature rather than aggressive multistage vacuum drying
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a moderate drying action at controlled temperature that is sufficient to achieve the required product quality without excessive energy input, using optimized stoichiometry and pH control to prevent decomposition rather than relying on intense drying conditions
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 enables the production of ammonium salts with yields exceeding 98% and mass content of 99%, ensuring consistent high quality and reducing environmental impact and operational costs, while maintaining the salts' biologically active properties.
Implementation Method 1
neutralizing the corresponding acid with a carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate in an aqueous medium
Implementation Method 2
followed by separation and drying at moderate temperatures
Implementation Method 3
recycling the filtrate
Data Source
AI summary
An improved process for preparing ammonium salts from fumaric or succinic acid, is described. The method consists of neutralizing the corresponding acid carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate at a molar stoichiometric or greater than the stoichiometric ratio of 4-5% in a saturated aqueous solution of the synthesized salt at a temperature not exceeding 40° C., followed by separation of the product and drying at a temperature not exceeding 70° C. After separation of the ammonium salts, the filtrate can be re-used. Isolation of the product is usually carried out by cooling the reaction mixture to a temperature of 15-18 C.°. The product comes out in almost crystalline form. Saturated aqueous solution of the synthesized salt is formed by the interaction of carbonate or ammonium bicarbonate with the appropriate acid at a temperature not exceeding 40° C. It is possible to obtain cleaner salt concentration weighing more than 99% and not yielding lower than 98%. The method allows for an increase in the yield of targeted products and ensures their consistent high quality due to their formation in crystalline form.