CO2 Aromatization Reactor for Upgrading Pyrolysis Byproducts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aromatic complexes in the petrochemical industry are unable to efficiently produce biobased aromatics and fail to effectively upgrade carbon in the form of CO and CO2 byproducts into high-value compounds, particularly para-xylene, which limits the production of valuable aromatics like benzene and xylenes.
Innovation Solution
A process and device that convert CO and CO2 byproducts from hydrocarbon-based pyrolysis into additional paraffins and aromatic compounds using a water gas shift unit and a CO2 aromatization reactor, recycling unconverted gases to enhance the production of benzene and para-xylene within the aromatic loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pyrolysis of hydrocarbon-based compounds is used to produce aromatic compounds, then aromatic production is achieved, but CO and CO2 byproducts are generated that are not effectively upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful CO and CO2 byproducts into valuable aromatic compounds through a two-step process: first, a water-gas shift unit converts CO to CO2 and H2, then a CO2 aromatization reactor converts CO2 into aromatic compounds including para-xylene. This transforms waste carbon into high-value products, resolving the contradiction between aromatic production and carbon loss.
2Productivity
If conventional aromatic complexes are used, then benzene and xylenes are produced, but biobased carbon upgrading is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the conventional aromatic complex by adding multi-functional units: a water-gas shift unit that handles both CO conversion and H2 production, and a CO2 aromatization reactor that converts CO2 into aromatics. These additions enable the system to process both fossil-based and biobased feedstocks, achieving versatility in biobased carbon upgrading while maintaining benzene and xylene production.
3Productivity
If CO and CO2 byproducts are not converted, then process simplicity is maintained, but aromatic production efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conversion process into two distinct functional units: a water-gas shift unit for CO conversion, and a CO2 aromatization reactor for aromatic production. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently while integrating seamlessly into the existing aromatic complex, thereby improving aromatic production efficiency without overwhelming complexity.
4Productivity
If para-xylene production is increased through conventional means, then market value is captured, but CO and CO2 utilization is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures carbon energy from CO and CO2 byproducts and converts it into high-value para-xylene through the water-gas shift reaction followed by CO2 aromatization. This not only increases para-xylene production to capture market value but also eliminates carbon energy loss by transforming low-value byproducts into high-value aromatics.
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 significantly increases the production of aromatics, particularly para-xylene, by converting CO and CO2 byproducts into valuable compounds, achieving up to 480% gain in aromatic production and effectively upgrading biobased carbon, thereby addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a unit for converting CO into CO2 (and into hydrogen), referred to as a water gas shift unit
Implementation Method 2
a unit for converting the CO2 into aromatic compounds in one step in a dedicated aromatization reactor
Implementation Method 3
Processes for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon-based compounds produce aromatic compounds, but also a lot of CO and CO2 as conversion byproducts
Data Source
AI summary
Device and process for converting a feedstock of aromatic compounds, in which the feedstock is notably treated using a fractionation train (4-7), a xylenes separating unit (10) and an isomerization unit (11), and in which a pyrolysis unit (13) treats a second hydrocarbon-based feedstock, produces a pyrolysis effluent feeding the feedstock, and produces a pyrolysis gas comprising CO, CO2 and H2; a WGS water gas shift reaction section (50) suitable for treating the pyrolysis gas and for producing a WGS gas enriched in CO2 and in hydrogen; a CO2 aromatization reaction section (52) suitable for: at least partly treating the WGS gas to produce a hydrocarbon effluent comprising aromatic compounds, and feeding the feedstock with the hydrocarbon effluent.