1,3-Butadiene Production with Light-Component Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing 1,3-butadiene, such as naphtha cracking and direct dehydrogenation of butene, are energy-intensive and produce unwanted byproducts, while oxidative dehydrogenation processes face reduced conversion rates due to light components in recycled waste water reacting with oxygen.

Innovation Solution

A method involving heat exchange and condensation to separate light and heavy components from the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction product, followed by recycling water vapor without light components to prevent reaction with oxygen, thereby maintaining high conversion rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If waste water is recycled into the reactor, then water consumption is reduced, but light components in the waste water react with oxygen and decrease the conversion rate of butene

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidconversion rate of butene
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes light components from the recycled waste water through a separation column before reintroducing the water into the reactor. This extraction process eliminates the harmful light components that would otherwise react with oxygen and reduce butene conversion rates, while still maintaining water recycling benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary separation of light components from waste water before the water is recycled into the reactor. By conducting this separation action in advance, the system prevents the problematic reaction between light components and oxygen, ensuring high conversion rates are maintained throughout the oxidative dehydrogenation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If naphtha cracking is used to produce 1,3-butadiene, then production volume is increased, but energy consumption increases and unwanted byproducts are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction volume of 1,3-butadieneVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reaction parameters by using oxidative dehydrogenation at lower temperatures compared to traditional naphtha cracking. This parameter change enables production of 1,3-butadiene with reduced energy consumption while maintaining production volume through the efficient use of butene feedstock

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If direct dehydrogenation of butene is performed at high temperature and low pressure, then conversion to 1,3-butadiene is improved, but the process becomes thermodynamically adverse and unsuitable for commercialization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion to 1,3-butadieneVSAvoidcommercialization suitability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces oxygen as an intermediary substance that enables the dehydrogenation reaction to proceed at lower temperatures. The oxygen acts as a mediator that accepts hydrogen from butene, forming water and driving the reaction forward thermodynamically, thus making the process commercially viable while maintaining high conversion to 1,3-butadiene

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances the conversion rate and selectivity of 1,3-butadiene production by preventing light components from reacting with oxygen, reducing the need for additional separation columns and lowering production costs.

Implementation Method 1

separating the heavy component from a second product comprising the 1,3-butadiene and the light component by condensing the heavy component after heat exchanging the first product in a condenser at a condensation temperature of 60°C to 100°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

separating the heavy component condensed in step (B) comprising condensed water into a concentrated heavy component and water vapor by reboiling the condensed heavy component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3760606B1Method for preparing 1,3-butadiene
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3760606B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present specification provides a method for preparing 1,3-butadiene, the method comprising: (A) obtaining a first product comprising a light component, 1,3-butadiene, and a heavy component from a reactant comprising butene; (B) separating the heavy component from a second product comprising the 1,3-butadiene and the light component by condensing the heavy component after heat exchanging the first product; and (C) separating the concentrated heavy component by reboiling the condensed heavy component.