Composite Ionic Liquid Catalyst for Alkylation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Composite ionic liquids used in alkylation reactions face challenges with side reactions such as cracking and oligomerization, leading to the production of acid-soluble oil, which affects the quality of alkylated oil and the activity of the catalysts.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing a multiple-metal site composite ionic liquid by sequentially reacting an ammonium salt, an aluminum halide, a second metal halide, and a rare earth metal halide, forming a di-metal-rare earth metal site structure that enhances catalytic activity, stability, and reduces side reactions, thereby improving the quality of alkylated oil and extending catalyst life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If composite ionic liquid is used as catalyst in alkylation reaction, then catalytic activity and C8 component proportion are improved, but side reactions (cracking and oligomerization) increase leading to acid-soluble oil generation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveC8 component proportionVSAvoidacid-soluble oil
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specific structural feature (six-membered ring structure containing nitrogen and oxygen atoms) at a localized position within the ionic liquid molecule. This local structural modification creates specific active sites that promote C8 component formation while suppressing side reactions, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factor generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite ionic liquid system by combining multiple functional groups within a single molecule structure. The composite structure integrates catalytic active sites with steric hindrance elements, achieving both high C8 component proportion and reduced acid-soluble oil generation through synergistic effects of the composite molecular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If strong liquid acid catalyst is used, then alkylation reaction efficiency is improved, but corrosion and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealkylation reaction efficiencyVSAvoidcorrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional strong liquid acid catalyst system with an ionic liquid catalyst system. This substitution eliminates the corrosive nature of conventional acids while maintaining catalytic activity through the unique properties of ionic liquids, specifically the composite structure with coordinated metal centers and six-membered ring formations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameters of the catalyst system by transitioning from molecular acid catalysts to ionic liquid catalysts. This parameter change involves altering the charge distribution, molecular size, and interaction mechanisms to achieve catalytic efficiency comparable to strong acids without the associated corrosion and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional ionic liquid catalyst is used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but catalytic life and stability deteriorate due to side reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidcatalytic life
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates steric hindrance elements and specific molecular geometries into the ionic liquid structure beforehand to prevent side reactions from occurring in the first place. The six-membered ring structure and coordinated metal centers are designed in advance to create a protective effect that maintains catalytic stability and extends catalyst life while preserving environmental friendliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 results in a composite ionic liquid with high catalytic activity and long life, reducing acid-soluble oil generation and increasing the yield of high octane number components, while maintaining high catalytic performance and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

adding an ammonium salt into a reaction kettle under an inert gas atmosphere, adding a first metal salt at a controlled temperature of 50-80° C. then raising the temperature to 80-120° C. and performing a reaction for at least 2 hours to obtain a first mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Chinese patent with a number of announcement of grant of patent right of CN 1184284C discloses a method for preparing alkylated oil agent through catalysis of butene and isobutane as raw materials by using an acidic ionic liquid as a catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

adding a second metal salt into the first mixture at a controlled temperature of 120-170° C., and obtaining a second mixture after the second metal salt dissolves completely in a reaction system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20240109056A1Composite ionic liquid and preparation method and use thereof
Publication Date: 2024.04.04 CHINA UNIV OF PETROLEUM (BEIJING)

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a composite ionic liquid and a preparation method and a use thereof. A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a preparation method of a composite ionic liquid, where an ammonium salt, a first metal salt, a second metal salt, and a third metal salt are sequentially added into a reactor for performing a reaction under different conditions, and the composite ionic liquid is obtained after the reaction is finished. The composite ionic liquid prepared by the method may be used as a catalyst to catalyze an alkylation reaction of isoparaffin with C4 olefin to obtain alkylated oil, which has the advantages of high catalytic activity, long catalytic life, low consumption, and better distribution of the resulting alkylated oil, etc, and thereby significantly reducing the production costs and improving the quality of the resulted alkylated oil.