1-Butene Separation Using Heat Transfer Medium

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for separating 1-butene from C4 hydrocarbon streams are energy-intensive and generate significant CO2 emissions, primarily due to the use of heating steam in distillation columns.

Innovation Solution

A process utilizing a separation unit with at least two distillation columns, where energy is transferred via bottom evaporators and heat transfer media, reducing the need for heating steam and enabling heat integration and electricity conversion for efficient energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heating steam is used to provide energy for separation in distillation columns, then the separation process can be performed, but energy costs and CO2 emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation process capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the waste heat from condensing vapor streams into a useful resource by using it to heat the liquid stream at the bottom of distillation columns. The vapor stream that would normally be wasted heat is now utilized to provide the necessary thermal energy for the separation process, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for external heating steam and associated energy costs and CO2 emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the heating function and cooling function into a single integrated system. The vapor stream condensation heat is directly coupled with the liquid stream heating requirement, allowing the two processes to occur simultaneously without external energy input. This integration eliminates the need for separate heating steam generation and consumption systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If heating steam is used for separation, then distillation columns can operate, but CO2 emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation process capabilityVSAvoidCO2 emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If heating steam is used to heat the bottom of distillation columns, then separation can occur, but the process becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation functionVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the waste heat from condensing vapor streams into a useful resource. The vapor stream condensation heat, which would normally be lost to the environment, is now captured and used to heat the liquid stream at the bottom of the distillation columns, thereby eliminating the need for external heating steam and improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a continuous heat transfer cycle where the vapor stream condensation heat is continuously used to heat the liquid stream. This continuous integration of heat transfer processes ensures that energy is constantly being recovered and reused within the system, maximizing energy efficiency and eliminating the need for external energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 process achieves significant energy cost savings and reduces CO2 emissions by minimizing the use of heating steam and enabling the use of green electricity, while maintaining high purity of 1-butene in the product stream.

Implementation Method 1

energy is transferred from BS1a to a liquid or gaseous heat transfer medium W, thereby forming a heat transfer medium W1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the bottom evaporator SV1 is fed with a stream which is taken off at the lower end of the DK1 and, after passing through the respective bottom evaporator, is returned to the DK1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

energy is transferred from BS1a to a liquid or gaseous heat transfer medium W

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

at least a portion of the heat transfer medium W2 is compressed, thereby producing a compressed heat transfer medium W2.1 having a higher pressure than the heat transfer medium W2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 5

the raffinate 2 stream is passed to the first distillation column DK1 and is separated in the DK1 into at least one vapor stream BS1, which comprises at least 1-butene and isobutane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Data Source

PatentEP4563561A1Energy efficient process for the separation of 1-butene from a hydrocarbon stream using a heat transfer medium

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 EVONIK OXENO GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for the separation of 1-butene from a C4 hydrocarbon stream containing at least 1-butene, 2-butene, n-butane and isobutane in a separation unit comprising at least two distillation columns DK1 and DK2, wherein the heat of condensation is utilized by means of a heat transfer medium W in order to save energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions.