Relocatable Bioconversion Unit for Ammonium Acrylate Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing ammonium (meth-) acrylate solutions require additional processing steps like purification and drying, which can lead to degradation and reduced performance of resulting polymers.
Innovation Solution
A process using a relocatable bioconversion unit to convert (meth-) acrylonitrile to ammonium (meth-) acrylate, eliminating the need for drying and maintaining high product quality for polymer production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If purification and drying steps are performed to obtain acrylic acid suitable for polymer production, then product quality is improved, but processing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by conducting the bioconversion process in a relocatable unit that produces acrylic acid of sufficient quality directly, eliminating the need for subsequent purification and drying steps. The process is designed to produce polymer-ready acrylic acid in one step, preventing the need for time-consuming downstream processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the purification and drying steps from the traditional process sequence by using a relocatable bioconversion unit that produces acrylic acid of adequate quality directly. This removes the unnecessary intermediate steps while maintaining product quality suitable for polymer production.
2Quantity of substance
If drying steps are performed on aqueous ammonium (meth-) acrylate solutions, then product concentration is improved, but ammonia gas formation and degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of ammonia gas formation during drying into a benefit by eliminating the drying step entirely. The relocatable bioconversion unit produces acrylic acid of sufficient concentration and quality without requiring evaporation or drying, thus preventing ammonia gas formation while maintaining adequate product concentration for polymer production.
Solution Approach 2:
The process performs preliminary action by producing acrylic acid of adequate concentration directly in the bioconversion step, eliminating the need for subsequent drying operations that would cause ammonia gas formation and degradation.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional purification and drying equipment is used, then product quality is maintained, but plant footprint and capital cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by using a relocatable bioconversion unit that can be moved to different locations, eliminating the need for fixed, extensive purification and drying equipment. The dynamic, mobile nature of the unit reduces the permanent plant footprint while maintaining product quality through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the bioconversion and polymer production operations into an integrated process using the relocatable unit, eliminating the need for separate, space-intensive purification and drying facilities. This consolidation maintains product quality while significantly reducing the overall plant footprint and capital requirements.
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
The process avoids costly drying steps, prevents ammonia gas formation, and ensures high-quality polymers comparable to those produced from purified acrylic acid, while also reducing transportation costs and environmental risks.
Implementation Method 1
a biocatalyst capable of converting (meth-) acrylonitrile to ammonium (meth-) acrylate
Implementation Method 2
The other pathway is a single-step reaction catalysed by nitrilases
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for preparing ammonium (meth-) acrylate, aqueous ammonium (meth-) acrylate solutions obtainable by such process, and (meth-) acrylic acid homopolymers or copolymers obtainable by polymerizing such ammonium (meth-) acrylate. The invention furthermore relates to a modular, relocatable bioconversion unit for manufacturing aqueous ammonium (meth-) acrylate solutions.