1,3-Butylene Glycol Purification for Odor and Color Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 1,3-butylene glycol products obtained from known purification methods contain by-products, leading to issues such as odor, coloration over time, and increased acid concentration, especially when exposed to air or water.
Innovation Solution
A refined manufacturing method involving gas chromatographic analysis and specific conditions to achieve a high-purity 1,3-butylene glycol with reduced peak area ratios for certain retention times, minimizing by-products like acetaldol and acetaldehyde derivatives, and controlling acid concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If known purification methods are used to obtain 1,3-butylene glycol, then production efficiency is improved, but by-products remain causing odor, coloration, and acid concentration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The purification process is divided into multiple sequential distillation steps (first distillation to remove low boiling point by-products, second distillation to remove high boiling point by-products) rather than a single step, allowing each step to target specific impurity ranges and achieve higher overall purity
Solution Approach 2:
Specific by-products are selectively removed at different stages: low boiling point by-products (acetaldehyde, acetaldol) are extracted first, followed by high boiling point by-products (1,4-butylene glycol, γ-butyrolactone) in subsequent steps, systematically eliminating different classes of impurities
2Duration of action of stationary object
If 1,3-butylene glycol is stored for a long period, then availability is improved, but coloration occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
By-products that cause coloration are removed in advance through multiple distillation steps before storage, preventing the coloration reaction from occurring during storage rather than attempting to treat coloration after it develops
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies storing 1,3-butylene glycol in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to prevent oxidation and other air-induced reactions that would cause coloration during long-term storage
3Adaptability or versatility
If 1,3-butylene glycol is exposed to air during use or storage, then accessibility is improved, but acid concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air-sensitive by-products that lead to acid formation are removed in advance through thorough purification, preventing acid concentration increase during subsequent exposure to air in cosmetic applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies storing and handling 1,3-butylene glycol in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to prevent oxidation reactions with air that would generate organic acids during use and storage
4Reliability
If heating is applied for sterilization, then safety is improved, but coloration and acid concentration increase occur
Solution Approach 1:
By-products that are prone to decomposition and coloration under heat are removed in advance through multiple distillation steps, allowing the product to withstand sterilization heating without generating harmful decomposition products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies controlling the heating temperature during sterilization to not exceed 100°C and limiting the heating time to prevent thermal decomposition that would cause coloration and acid formation
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 resulting 1,3-butylene glycol is colorless, odorless, and stable against acid concentration increase, suitable for applications like cosmetics and moisturizers.
Implementation Method 1
having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under conditions set forth below
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a 1,3-butylene glycol product, having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under predetermined conditions, a peak ratio of 2000 ppm or lower appearing in a relative retention time ranging from 1.6 to 1.8, provided that the relative retention time for a peak of 1,3-butylene glycol is 1.0. The present disclosure also provides a 1,3-butylene glycol product, having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under predetermined conditions, a peak area ratio of 100 ppm or lower appearing in a relative retention time ranging from 1.35 to 1.45, provided that the relative retention time for a peak of 1,3-butylene glycol is 1.0. The present disclosure also provides a 1,3-butylene glycol product, having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under predetermined conditions, a peak area ratio of 1000 ppm or lower appearing in a relative retention time ranging from 2.3 to 2.4, provided that the relative retention time for a peak of 1,3-butylene glycol is 1.0.