Selective CO Oxidation in Olefin Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxidative dehydrogenation and oxidative coupling processes in the petrochemical industry produce high levels of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products, which are difficult to separate efficiently from desired olefin products, leading to environmental and cost challenges.
Innovation Solution
The use of water or a selective oxygen transfer agent to oxidize carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, allowing for its convenient removal from product streams without further oxidizing the olefins, using reaction conditions that differ from the initial processes, and employing methods like the Water Gas Shift reaction or redox cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxidative dehydrogenation or oxidative coupling processes are used to produce olefins, then olefin production efficiency is improved, but carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide by-products are generated in high levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful carbon monoxide by-product into beneficial carbon dioxide through selective oxidation using water or oxygen transfer agents. This transforms a harmful substance that is difficult to separate into a more manageable substance that can be easily removed from the product stream, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved olefin production efficiency and harmful by-product generation.
2Reliability
If conventional separation methods are used to remove carbon monoxide from product streams, then carbon monoxide removal is attempted, but separation efficiency is low and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of carbon monoxide by oxidizing it to carbon dioxide through controlled reaction with water or oxygen transfer agents at specific temperatures and pressures. This parameter change transforms the separation problem from removing carbon monoxide (which is difficult to separate) to removing carbon dioxide (which is easier to separate), thereby improving removal effectiveness without significantly increasing process complexity.
3Productivity
If oxidation conditions are applied to remove carbon monoxide, then carbon monoxide conversion to carbon dioxide is achieved, but further oxidation of desired olefin products occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water or oxygen transfer agents as intermediaries to selectively oxidize carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. These intermediaries provide a controlled oxidation pathway that targets carbon monoxide specifically while leaving the desired olefin products unaffected, thereby achieving high conversion efficiency without significant product loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local reaction conditions within the process system, where selective oxidation occurs under controlled conditions that favor carbon monoxide conversion while protecting olefin products. By controlling local temperature, pressure, and oxygen transfer agent concentration, the process achieves selective oxidation that converts carbon monoxide efficiently while minimizing further oxidation of desired products.
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 approach enhances process efficiency by minimizing the production of undesirable oxidation products and enables effective removal of carbon oxides, improving the yield and purity of olefin products while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide with concomitant production of hydrogen using water as the oxidant is also known as the Water Gas Shift (WGS) reaction
Implementation Method 2
The use of water or a selective oxygen transfer agent to oxidize carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide... employing methods like the Water Gas Shift reaction or redox cycles
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact a feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO2 to produce a stream enriched in CO2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.