Bioethanol Synthesis System for Sustainable Tire Rubber Chemicals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for synthesizing aniline and styrene from petroleum-based resources face challenges due to fossil fuel depletion, and existing biomass-based methods suffer from low efficiency, high toxicity, and difficulty in handling gaseous materials, necessitating a more efficient and sustainable approach.

Innovation Solution

A synthesis system utilizing bioethanol as a biomass material, where ethanol is catalyzed by solid acid catalysts like MFI-type zeolites to produce aniline and styrene, and phenol is biosynthesized using resistant microorganisms to create a resource-saving process for tire rubber chemicals and pneumatic tires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If petroleum-based resources are used for synthesizing aniline and styrene, then production efficiency is high, but fossil fuel depletion occurs and sustainability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidfossil fuel depletion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the raw material parameter from petroleum-based resources to biomass resources (specifically bioethanol), transforming the synthesis pathway while maintaining production efficiency. This parameter change enables sustainable production without depleting fossil fuels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces solid acid catalysts as intermediaries to facilitate the conversion of biomass-derived ethanol to aromatic compounds, aniline, and styrene. These catalysts enable the transformation process to proceed efficiently while using renewable resources instead of petroleum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If biomass resources are used for synthesizing aniline, then sustainability is improved, but production speed and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefossil fuel consumptionVSAvoidproduction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Solid acid catalysts are introduced as intermediaries to accelerate the conversion of biomass-derived ethanol to aromatic compounds and aniline. These catalysts significantly improve the reaction rate and production speed, resolving the contradiction between sustainability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes reaction parameters including temperature, pressure, and catalyst composition to maximize production speed while maintaining the use of sustainable biomass resources. This enables efficient production from renewable feedstocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If gaseous biomass materials like methane are used for synthesizing aromatic compounds, then renewable resource utilization is improved, but handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable resource utilizationVSAvoidmaterial handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the biomass material from gaseous (methane) to liquid (ethanol), making the material much easier to handle, store, and process while still utilizing renewable biomass resources effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of substance

If biomethanol is used for synthesizing aniline, then renewable resource utilization is improved, but toxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefossil fuel substitutionVSAvoidmaterial toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical identity parameter of the biomass material from biomethanol to bioethanol. This substitution maintains the benefit of using renewable resources while significantly reducing the toxicity concerns associated with methanol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system efficiently synthesizes aniline and styrene, reducing fossil fuel consumption and enabling the production of rubber chemicals and tires without petroleum resources, while improving yield and handling challenges.

Implementation Method 1

a synthesis system which is adapted to subject the alcohol to catalysis by a solid acid catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

The aromatic compound is preferably synthesized via an alkene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal processing: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9115047B2Synthesis system, rubber chemical substance for tires, synthetic rubber for tires, and pneumatic tire

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a synthesis system that can synthesize aniline and/or styrene efficiently, a synthesis system that can synthesize butadiene (1,3-butadiene) efficiently, a rubber chemical for a tire which is synthesized from the aniline obtained by the synthesis system, a synthetic rubber for a tire which is synthesized from the styrene and/or butadiene obtained by the synthesis systems, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber chemical for a tire and/or the synthetic rubber for a tire. The present invention relates to a synthesis system for synthesizing aniline and/or styrene from an alcohol having two or more carbon atoms via an aromatic compound.