Catalytic Wet Oxidation for Propylene Oxide Wastewater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for purifying waste water from propylene oxide production processes are costly, energy-intensive, and suffer from equipment reliability issues due to extreme operating conditions, with high chemical oxygen demand (COD) requiring additional downstream processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A catalytic wet oxidation process that treats waste water in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst, followed by separation into gas and liquid streams, with recycling of the liquid stream to the reactor, allowing for COD reduction under milder conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional purification methods are used for waste water from propylene oxide production, then the waste water can be purified to meet environmental standards, but the process becomes expensive and energy-intensive with high equipment stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from extreme conditions (high temperature, high pressure) to milder conditions (lower temperature, lower pressure) by introducing a catalyst, thereby reducing energy consumption and equipment stress while maintaining purification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance that facilitates the oxidation reaction under milder conditions, acting as a mediator between the waste water and the oxidizing agent to reduce the energy barrier and equipment requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used for waste water from propylene oxide production, then the waste water can be purified, but additional downstream processing steps are required due to high chemical oxygen demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the purification process into a single integrated catalytic oxidation step that simultaneously addresses multiple contaminants, eliminating the need for multiple sequential downstream processing steps and simplifying the overall process architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The catalytic oxidation process performs multiple functions simultaneously - oxidizing organic compounds, reducing chemical oxygen demand, and purifying the waste water - thereby replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate processing steps
3Use of energy by stationary object
If catalytic wet oxidation is used with recycling of liquid stream, then COD reduction is achieved under milder conditions, but the process requires separation and recycling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the liquid stream is separated, partially recycled to the reactor, and the remaining stream is discharged. This feedback mechanism maintains optimal reaction conditions and maximizes COD reduction efficiency while managing process complexity through systematic stream management
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 process achieves significant COD reduction both in absolute and percentage terms without the need for pre-treatment, reducing costs and equipment stress, and producing clean water suitable for discharge.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the stream comprising the waste water to an oxidation treatment in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the stream comprising the waste water to an oxidation treatment in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst resulting in a treated stream
Implementation Method 3
sending at least part of the treated stream to a separator wherein the treated stream is separated into a gas stream and a liquid stream
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a process for treating waste water from an industrial process for producing propylene oxide, which comprises subjecting the waste water to a catalytic wet oxidation treatment comprising: feeding a stream comprising the waste water to a reactor; subjecting the stream comprising the waste water to an oxidation treatment in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst resulting in a treated stream; sending at least part of the treated stream to a separator wherein the treated stream is separated into a gas stream and a liquid stream; and recycling part of the liquid stream to the reactor.