HCFO-1233zd Drying via Azeotropic Distillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial production of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd) often requires excessive desiccant consumption to control moisture levels, as existing processes struggle to efficiently separate water from the product stream, leading to high costs and equipment size requirements.

Innovation Solution

The use of azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and water, combined with distillation and decanting techniques, allows for improved recovery and purification of HCFO-1233zd, significantly reducing desiccant consumption and enhancing product purity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional drying agents are used to remove water from HCFO-1233zd, then moisture control is achieved, but desiccant consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture controlVSAvoiddesiccant consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an azeotropic composition as an intermediary substance that facilitates water removal. By forming an azeotrope between HCFO-1233zd and water, the system creates a volatile mixture that can be easily separated through distillation, acting as a mediator between the product and the water impurity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition by forming an azeotropic composition that exhibits different volatility characteristics. The azeotrope allows water to be removed through controlled vaporization and condensation cycles, enabling efficient separation based on phase change behavior rather than direct adsorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Manufacturing precision

If sufficient drying agent is provided to remove all water, then product purity is maximized, but equipment size and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct purityVSAvoidequipment size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the system by introducing an azeotropic composition with specific boiling point characteristics. This parameter change enables water removal at controlled temperatures through distillation, avoiding the need for excessive drying agents and large-scale equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical adsorption system (large quantities of desiccant in contactors) with a thermal separation system (distillation column). This substitution uses heat-driven phase separation instead of mechanical filtration, reducing equipment footprint and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If overhead crude HCFO-1233zd vapor is fully saturated with water, then washing efficiency is maximized, but desiccant requirements increase to 27 pounds per 1,000 pounds of product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoiddesiccant consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of water saturation into a beneficial process feature. By allowing full water saturation during washing and then utilizing the azeotropic composition's distillation properties, the system transforms the water impurity from a problem into a separable component that can be efficiently removed through phase transition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 high-yield, high-purity recovery of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, minimizing desiccant usage and equipment size, while maintaining tight moisture control, thus meeting customer specifications and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

separation processes that use azeotropic or azeotropic-like compositions of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAzeotropic composition:

Implementation Method 2

Such recovery or separation processes can utilize the unique properties of azeotropic or azeotropic-like compositions with various combinations of separation techniques (e.g., distillation and decanting)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 3

conveying the formed azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition into a separator, and recovering an organic layer comprising 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecanting:

Implementation Method 4

utilizing the benefits of azeotropic or azeotropic-like compositions of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation:

Data Source

PatentUS9926244B2Process for drying HCFO-1233zd

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS US INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides separation processes that use azeotropic or azeotropic-like compositions of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd) that allow for improved recovery rates of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene during or after manufacturing processes. Such recovery or separation processes can utilize the unique properties of azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition with various combinations of separation techniques (e.g., distillation and decanting) that yield highly pure compositions of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and simultaneously offer high yields of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. Such highly pure compositions of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene may find useful applications in polymer technology as monomers or comonomers.