C4 Olefin Separation Adsorption Tower Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating C4 olefins from C4 hydrocarbon mixed gases with high purity are inefficient due to high energy consumption and low purity outcomes in existing adsorption and distillation processes.
Innovation Solution
A sequential adsorption, olefin rinse, and desorption process using multiple adsorption towers with selective olefin adsorbents and two distillation towers, incorporating displacement desorption and pressure management steps to enhance purity and yield of C4 olefins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distillation process is used to separate C4 olefins from C4 paraffins, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and investment costs are high due to requiring distillation towers with large number of fractionation plates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical distillation system with an adsorption-based separation system. The adsorption tower uses adsorbent material to selectively adsorb C4 olefins from the mixed gas, eliminating the need for complex distillation towers with numerous fractionation plates and significantly reducing energy consumption while achieving high separation purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from thermal-based (distillation) to adsorption-based. By changing the operating parameters to utilize adsorption equilibrium and selectivity, the system achieves efficient separation of C4 olefins from paraffins without requiring high energy input associated with distillation processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If distillation process is used to separate C4 olefins from C4 paraffins, then separation can be achieved, but investment costs are high due to requiring distillation towers with large number of fractionation plates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical distillation tower structure with a simpler adsorption tower system. The adsorption process uses selective adsorbent material that can be packed in a simple tower structure, eliminating the need for numerous fractionation plates and complex heating/condensation systems required in distillation towers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the separation process into distinct functional stages: adsorption of C4 olefins, desorption of adsorbed olefins, and separation from desorbents. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture compared to a single complex distillation tower.
3Use of energy by moving object
If adsorptive-separation process is used to replace distillation process, then energy consumption is reduced, but existing processes cannot achieve C4 olefin purity of more than 95 wt %
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary adsorption of C4 olefins from the mixed gas, then conducts a desorption step to release the adsorbed olefins. This preliminary separation action concentrates the olefins before final purification, enabling the system to achieve high purity (over 95 wt %) while maintaining low energy consumption compared to direct distillation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a desorbent as an intermediary substance that facilitates the release of adsorbed C4 olefins from the adsorbent material. The desorbent enables selective desorption of olefins while leaving paraffins behind, achieving high purity product with minimal energy input by mediating the separation process.
4Manufacturing precision
If sequential adsorption and desorption steps are performed repeatedly, then olefin purity is improved, but process time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic cyclic operations where multiple adsorption towers operate in sequence, with each tower undergoing adsorption-desorption cycles. By coordinating multiple towers in a periodic manner, the system achieves high purity through repeated cycles while maintaining continuous production, as one tower can be regenerated while others are processing feed gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple adsorption towers operating at different stages into a unified system. By merging the operations of multiple towers, the system achieves high purity through coordinated sequential operations while reducing the time required compared to a single tower completing multiple cycles, as multiple towers can process material simultaneously at different points in the cycle.
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 achieves high purity (over 95 wt %) of C4 olefins with reduced energy consumption by effectively removing paraffins through repeated adsorption and desorption steps, improving the separation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a C4 olefin rinse step to remove a small amount of C4 paraffins adsorbed together with C4 olefins on the adsorbents
Implementation Method 2
the mixture of olefins/desorbents discharged from the desorption step is introduced into the distillation tower for the separation of olefins/desorbents to obtain high purity olefins by distillation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for the separation of C4 olefins (butene-1, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene, etc.) and C4 paraffins (normal butane, isobutane, etc) from a C4 hydrocarbon mixed gas including butene-1, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene, normal butane, isobutane, etc. is provided. The apparatus includes several adsorption towers loaded with an adsorbent which selectively adsorb olefins and two distillation towers for the separation of the mixture gases of olefins/desorbents and paraffins/desorbents respectively. The basic operating process of the adsorption tower comprises an adsorption step of selectively adsorbing C4 olefin from the feeding mixture, a C4 olefin rinse step of removing a small amount of C4 paraffins adsorbed together with C4 olefins, and a desorption step of desorbing C4 olefins by using a desorbent, and further comprises pressure equalization step, concurrent depressurization step, and accumulation pressure step to increase the yield and concentration of olefins depending on the operation pressure of the adsorption tower.