Absorption Solvent Recovery in Butadiene Oxidative Dehydrogenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the butadiene production process through oxidative dehydrogenation, a significant portion of the absorption solvent is lost as it is discharged with light gases, either being reintroduced into the reactor where it can hinder the process or wasted outside the system, leading to economic losses and potential negative impacts on the dehydrogenation reaction.
Innovation Solution
A wash column is connected to the upper portion of the absorption tower to capture and recover the absorption solvent from the discharged light gases, utilizing a solvent circulation system to separate and reclaim the solvent, thereby preventing its loss and ensuring it does not interfere with the oxidative dehydrogenation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the light gas is discharged directly from the absorption tower without a wash column, then the process is simple and operation is easy, but the absorption solvent is lost and discharged outside the system causing economic loss
Solution Approach 1:
A wash column is introduced as an intermediary device between the absorption tower and the discharge point. The wash column uses a wash solvent to capture and recover the absorption solvent from the light gas stream, preventing its loss while maintaining a relatively simple overall process structure
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly discharging the light gas which contains valuable absorption solvent, the system recovers the solvent by circulating wash solvent through the wash column. The recovered absorption solvent is then reused in the absorption tower, eliminating waste and reducing economic loss
2Reliability
If the absorption solvent is discharged with light gas to the reactor, then the solvent circulation is simplified, but the solvent has a bad influence on oxidative dehydrogenation reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The wash column acts as an intermediary separation device that removes absorption solvent from the light gas stream before it can enter the reactor. This protects the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction from solvent interference while maintaining proper solvent circulation through the wash column system
Solution Approach 2:
The wash column extracts and removes the absorption solvent from the light gas stream using a wash solvent. This separation ensures that the purified light gas can be safely discharged or recycled without harmful solvent contamination that would affect reaction quality
3Loss of substance
If the absorption solvent is discharged outside the system with purge stream, then the system operation is simplified, but economic loss occurs due to solvent discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers absorption solvent from the purge stream using the wash column instead of directly discharging it. The wash solvent circulates through the wash column, captures the solvent, and returns it to the absorption tower, eliminating economic loss while maintaining straightforward operation
Solution Approach 2:
The wash column system automatically recovers and recycles the absorption solvent through continuous circulation of wash solvent. This self-service mechanism prevents solvent loss without requiring complex manual intervention or complicated operational procedures
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 recovers a high percentage of the absorption solvent, reducing economic losses and maintaining process efficiency by preventing solvent discharge and interference in the reactor, thus enhancing the overall economics of the butadiene production process.
Implementation Method 1
recovering the absorption solvent included in the light gas by a solvent circulating in the wash column
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of recovering an absorption solvent in a butadiene production process through oxidative dehydrogenation, the method including: a) transferring a light gas discharged from an upper portion of an absorption tower to a wash column; and b) recovering the absorption solvent included in the light gas by a solvent circulating in the wash column. Since an absorption solvent may be prevented from being introduced into a reactor, or being discharged to an outside of a system, economic efficiency of a butadiene production process is improved.