Borane Complex Color Reduction in Alkanolamine Compositions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing color in alkanolamines like triethanolamine are either insufficient in removing color or fail to maintain a colorless product over time, often requiring expensive equipment and raising environmental and health concerns.

Innovation Solution

Contacting alkanolamines with a borane complex of specific formulas, such as L·BH3 or H3N·BRaH3-a, to achieve a color-reduced composition with a Platinum-Cobalt Color Value of less than 50, which can be maintained over extended periods without the need for costly equipment or hazardous materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional color reduction methods (borohydride, ethylenediamine, hydrogenation catalysts, activated carbon) are used, then some color reduction is achieved, but the color returns over time and additional costly equipment or hazardous materials are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor reduction effectivenessVSAvoidlong-term color stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by using borane complexes (specifically borane-ammonia and borane-organic amine complexes) instead of conventional reducing agents. This chemical substitution provides both immediate color reduction and long-term stability without requiring additional equipment or hazardous materials, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, cost-effective borane complex additive that can be directly introduced into the alkanolamine system without requiring expensive equipment like hydrogenation catalysts, rectifying devices, or specialized distillation columns. The additive provides sustained color stability over time without needing replacement or additional processing equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If two-stage vacuum distillation or specialized equipment is used, then color reduction is achieved, but investment cost and equipment complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor reduction effectivenessVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems (two-stage vacuum distillation, rectifying devices, dividing wall columns) with a simple chemical additive approach. The borane complex is directly introduced into the alkanolamine system to reduce and stabilize color, eliminating the need for expensive and complex equipment while achieving superior color reduction and long-term stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional color reduction additives are used, then some color improvement is achieved, but environmental and health concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor reduction effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental and health safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses borane-ammonia and borane-organic amine complexes as safe, environmentally friendly alternatives to hazardous conventional additives. These borane complexes provide effective color reduction and long-term stability without the environmental and health concerns associated with borohydride, hydrazine, or other conventional reducing agents, eliminating the need for special handling or disposal procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 method effectively reduces and maintains low color in alkanolamine compositions, ensuring they remain colorless or near colorless for months or years, even when stored, without the need for expensive equipment or hazardous handling, and can be used with a variety of alkanolamines.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the alkanolamine with a color-reducing amount of a borane complex effective to provide an alkanolamine composition having a Platinum-Cobalt Color Value, Test Method ASTM D1209, of less than 50

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP3386943B1Methods of reducing color in alkanolamine compositions

Publication Date: 2024.01.03 SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES BV

AI summary

A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine is described. The method includes contacting the alkanolamine with a color-reducing amount of a borane complex effective to provide a color-reduced alkanolamine composition having a Platinum-Cobalt Color Value, according to Test Method ASTM D1209, of less than 50.