Butadiene Separation via Condensation and Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for preparing butadiene by oxidative dehydrogenation of butene face inefficiencies due to high energy consumption and raw material costs, particularly in the absorption separation process where nitrogen is used as a diluent gas and requires low-temperature refrigerants, leading to increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

The method employs butane as a diluent gas and a condensation process to liquefy and separate butadiene, followed by an absorption separation to recover all hydrocarbons, minimizing losses and reducing energy consumption and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If nitrogen is used as a diluent gas and absorption method is employed to separate butadiene, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption and raw material costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameters of the reaction products by using condensation temperature and pressure control instead of absorption. By adjusting temperature and pressure parameters, hydrocarbons are condensed and separated directly, eliminating the need for energy-intensive absorption processes and low-temperature refrigeration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes diluent gases (nitrogen, carbon dioxide) and light gas species from the reaction products through condensation separation. By taking out these components first, the subsequent separation process becomes simpler and more energy-efficient, avoiding the need for expensive low-temperature refrigeration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If low-temperature refrigeration is used to liquefy hydrocarbons for separation, then hydrocarbon separation can be achieved, but equipment costs and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrocarbon separationVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the separation approach from low-temperature liquefaction to condensation at moderate temperatures. By controlling temperature and pressure parameters within reasonable ranges, hydrocarbons are condensed and separated without requiring complex low-temperature refrigeration equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, complex low-temperature refrigeration equipment with simpler, more economical condensation separation equipment. The simpler equipment achieves the same separation function at lower cost and with reduced operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If absorption method is used to separate butadiene from reaction products, then butadiene can be recovered, but production costs increase due to solvent recovery and purification requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutadiene recoveryVSAvoidenergy loss in solvent recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes diluent gases and light gas species first through condensation separation. By removing these components beforehand, the absorption process deals with a smaller, more concentrated stream, reducing solvent requirements and subsequent recovery energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the separation process into distinct stages: first condensing and removing diluent gases, then condensing and separating hydrocarbons, and finally recovering butadiene. This segmentation allows each stage to operate more efficiently with reduced energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 economic efficiency of the process by reducing energy consumption, raw material costs, and production costs while maintaining high-purity butadiene production.

Implementation Method 1

a condensation separation part (230) responsible for condensing hydrocarbons from the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction products, from which water is removed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

an absorption separation part (250) responsible for recovering all hydrocarbons from oxidative dehydrogenation reaction products containing hydrocarbons not condensed in the condensation separation part (230)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3395786B1Butadiene preparation method
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3395786B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3395786B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3395786B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of preparing butadiene and a device for preparing the same. According to the present invention, when butadiene is prepared by oxidative dehydrogenation of butene, unlike conventional methods, in which nitrogen is used as a diluent gas and an absorption method is used to separate butadiene from reaction products, butane is used as a diluent gas and a condensation method, in which butadiene is liquefied and separated from reaction products using a low-temperature refrigerant or cooling water, is used. In addition, an absorption method of recovering all hydrocarbons from an upper stream generated in a condensation process is used, so that loss of hydrocarbons is minimized. Therefore, the method and device of the present invention may provide high-purity butadiene while reducing raw material costs, production costs, and energy consumption, thereby improving economic efficiency of processes.