Cleaning Liquid Composition for Polymerization Reactor Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing solution polymerization method for high molecular weight polymers leads to accumulation in polymerization reactors, reducing heat exchange efficiency, productivity, and requiring lengthy and unsafe manual cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning liquid composition containing a transition metal compound, such as ruthenium or osmium, and a hydrocarbon-based solvent is used to decompose and remove accumulated high molecular weight polymers through olefin cross metathesis, allowing for chemical cleaning without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If jet-cleaning with high pressure water is used to remove accumulated polymer, then the accumulated polymer can be physically removed, but cleaning time increases to 5 days on average and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer removal effectivenessVSAvoidproduction productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical jet-cleaning system with a chemical cleaning system. Instead of using high-pressure water jets to physically remove polymer, the invention uses a cleaning liquid composition containing specific chemicals that dissolve and remove accumulated polymer through chemical reactions, thereby reducing cleaning time and maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the cleaning parameters from mechanical (pressure, flow rate) to chemical (composition, concentration, temperature). The cleaning liquid composition contains specific chemicals with controlled concentrations and temperatures that optimize polymer removal efficiency while minimizing cleaning time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If manual jet-cleaning is performed, then polymer accumulation can be removed, but safety risks increase due to direct supply of manpower into the reactor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer removal effectivenessVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for manual intervention by replacing mechanical jet-cleaning with an automated chemical cleaning process. The cleaning liquid composition is circulated through the reactor system, removing polymer accumulation without requiring personnel to enter the reactor, thereby eliminating safety hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning liquid composition performs the cleaning function autonomously by circulating through the reactor system and chemically removing polymer accumulation. The system serves itself without external manual intervention, eliminating safety risks associated with human entry into the reactor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If water is used in jet-cleaning, then polymer can be removed, but additional water removal process is required to resume solution polymerization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer removal effectivenessVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the cleaning medium from water to an organic-based cleaning liquid composition. This composition is compatible with solution polymerization conditions and does not require additional water removal steps. The cleaning liquid can be easily evaporated or displaced by the polymerization medium, simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If 5 days cleaning time is required, then thorough polymer removal can be achieved, but operation time of production equipment is stopped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer removal completenessVSAvoidequipment operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a cleaning liquid composition with optimized chemical parameters that accelerate polymer removal. The specific chemicals, concentrations, and temperatures in the composition enable rapid dissolution and removal of polymer accumulation, reducing cleaning time from 5 days to a much shorter duration while maintaining thoroughness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning liquid composition enables continuous or near-continuous cleaning action through circulation and chemical reaction. This maintains effective polymer removal while minimizing equipment downtime, allowing the system to return to production much faster than traditional methods

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

This method enables rapid and safe removal of high molecular weight polymers, reducing cleaning time and improving reactor productivity by converting them into lower molecular weight oligomers, thus facilitating quicker reactor reoperation.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOlefin cross metathesis: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11549084B2Cleaning liquid composition and method for cleaning polymerization apparatus using same

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

A cleaning liquid composition is provided. More particularly, a cleaning liquid composition includes a transition metal compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 (see the detailed description of the present invention); and a hydrocarbon-based solvent, and a cleaning method of a polymerization apparatus using the same.