Azeotropic Distillation for Anhydrous Sugar Alcohol Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing isosorbide, such as those using vacuum reactions or single azeotropic solvents, face challenges in controlling reaction temperature and increasing yield, leading to high investment costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a solvent mixture of at least two components that form an azeotrope with water, with significantly different boiling points, to control reaction temperature and increase yield by dehydrating sugar alcohol at atmospheric pressure using an acid catalyst, allowing for efficient recycling of solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vacuum reaction is used to remove water, then water removal efficiency is improved, but investment cost increases due to requiring two reactors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, and changes the water removal mechanism from vacuum evaporation to azeotropic distillation. This allows the reaction to proceed in a single reactor at atmospheric pressure while still achieving efficient water removal through the formation of azeotropes with the solvent system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an azeotropic solvent system as an intermediary substance that facilitates water removal. The solvent forms azeotropes with water, enabling efficient water separation through distillation without requiring vacuum conditions or multiple reactors
2Ease of operation
If single azeotropic solvent is used, then process simplicity is improved, but reaction temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the solvent system into multiple components (first solvent and second solvent) with different boiling points. This segmentation allows independent control of temperature ranges during the reaction process, enabling better reaction temperature control while maintaining process simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a dynamic solvent system where the composition can be adjusted to match different temperature requirements. By using solvents with significantly different boiling points, the system can adaptively control reaction temperature at different stages of the dehydration process
3Productivity
If azeotropic distillation is used, then yield of isosorbide is improved, but solvent recycling becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a solvent recovery system where the azeotropic solvents are condensed and separated after distillation. The recovered solvents are then recycled back into the reaction system, reducing waste and operational costs while maintaining high isosorbide yield
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions (vaporization during distillation and condensation during recovery) to separate and recycle the azeotropic solvents. The significant boiling point differences between solvent components enable efficient phase separation and recycling
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 efficient control of reaction temperature and significantly increases the yield of isosorbide while reducing investment costs by using a single reactor and atmospheric pressure, improving reaction efficiency and product recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a solvent comprising at least two components that form an azeotrope with water at atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
azeotropic distillation... that have significantly different boiling points
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing anhydrosugar alcohol, and more particularly to a method of producing anhydrosugar alcohol using a solvent including at least two components that form an azeotrope with water at atmospheric pressure and that have significantly different boiling points. The method for producing anhydrosugar alcohol according to the present invention can increase the yield of anhydrosugar alcohol by efficiently controlling the reaction temperature by use of a solvent including at least two components that form an azeotrope with water at atmospheric pressure and that have significantly different boiling points.