Azo Compound Production Device Using Electrolytic Chlorine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing azo compounds, such as azodicarbonamide, require continuous chlorine input, leading to high wastewater treatment burdens and by-product management issues, and necessitate the use of separators in electrolysis processes, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A device that produces azo compounds without continuous chlorine input by using a halogen compound (MaXb) in an electrolysis process, eliminating the need for separators and reducing power consumption, featuring a reaction unit with a negative and positive electrode in contact with a solution containing a hydrazo compound, and a recycling unit to reintroduce reactants, thereby achieving high conversion rates and yields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chlorine is continuously supplied to produce azo compounds, then the production of azo compound is maintained, but the wastewater treatment burden increases and by-product management becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the produced HCl as a reactant in the electrolysis process to generate chlorine in-situ, eliminating the need for external chlorine supply and reducing wastewater treatment burden. The HCl produced during the oxidation reaction is fed back to the electrolysis unit, creating a self-sustaining cycle where waste products become valuable reactants.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding HCl as a waste by-product requiring neutralization, the system recovers and reuses it as a feedstock for chlorine generation through electrolysis. This transforms a harmful waste stream into a valuable resource, eliminating both the wastewater treatment burden and the need for continuous external chlorine supply.
2Reliability
If a separator is used in the electrolysis process to prevent NaOH from decomposing azodicarbonamide, then the product stability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the harmful NaOH from the reaction environment by using it exclusively in the electrolysis unit where it is immediately consumed to generate chlorine. By spatially separating the NaOH generation (electrolysis unit) from the azodicarbonamide production (oxidation unit) and ensuring NaOH does not contact the final product, the system eliminates the need for separators while maintaining product stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Chlorine acts as an intermediary substance that transfers the beneficial effect of NaOH (chlorine generation) to the oxidation reaction without allowing NaOH itself to contact the azodicarbonamide. The NaOH indirectly supports azodicarbonamide production by generating chlorine through electrolysis, while the chlorine directly oxidizes the hydrazo compound to form azodicarbonamide, preventing decomposition.
3Reliability
If a separator and continuous chlorine supply system are used, then the azo compound production is reliable, but the power consumption and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous production reliability through a closed-loop process where HCl produced in the oxidation reaction continuously feeds the electrolysis unit, which continuously generates chlorine for the oxidation reaction. This continuous circulation of materials eliminates the need for external chlorine supply infrastructure and reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable production.
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 wastewater treatment burdens, eliminates the need for separators, and lowers power consumption, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs while maintaining high productivity and quality.
Implementation Method 1
studies have been focused on the development of a method for generating chlorine (Cl2) by electrolysis
Implementation Method 2
azodicarbonamide is usually produced by oxidizing hydrazodicarbon amide (HDCA) with chlorine (Cl2)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for producing an azo compound includes a reaction unit in which a first solution comprising a hydrazo compound and at least one type of MaXb; a negative electrode disposed to be in direct contact with the hydrazo compound inside the reaction unit; and a positive electrode disposed inside the reaction unit so as to be in contact with the solution. X is a halogen element, M is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Ag, Zn, Sn, Zr, and Ti, or at least one selected from the group consisting of a primary ammonium ion, a secondary ammonium ion, and a tertiary ammonium ion, H is hydrogen, and a and b are each independently any one integer between 1 and 4.