Copper Adsorbent Bed for Low-Temperature Oxygen Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for removing oxygen from hydrocarbon streams are energy-intensive and prone to corrosion and fouling issues due to the need for high-temperature oxygen stripping, which also results in capital costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Using an adsorbent bed containing copper to react with oxygen in hydrocarbon feedstreams, forming copper oxide and reducing oxygen content at lower temperatures, thereby eliminating the need for high-temperature stripping and reducing capital costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-temperature oxygen stripping is used to remove oxygen from hydrocarbon streams, then oxygen removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen removal effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature stripping (180°C) to low-temperature operation (20-150°C) by using copper-based adsorbent beds. This parameter change allows effective oxygen removal through chemical reaction with copper at lower temperatures, resolving the contradiction between removal effectiveness and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/thermal stripping process with a chemical adsorption process using copper-based materials. Instead of using high-temperature thermal energy to strip oxygen, the system uses copper's chemical affinity to react with and remove oxygen, substituting a chemical mechanism for a thermal-mechanical one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If high-temperature oxygen stripping is used to remove oxygen from hydrocarbon streams, then oxygen removal effectiveness is improved, but capital costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen removal effectivenessVSAvoidcapital costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the operating temperature parameter to lower ranges (20-150°C), the invention eliminates the need for high-capacity heaters, insulated vessels, and high-temperature resistant materials required in traditional stripping columns, thereby reducing capital costs while maintaining oxygen removal effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The substitution of chemical adsorption for thermal stripping eliminates the need for complex high-temperature equipment infrastructure, reducing both capital investment and maintenance costs while achieving the same oxygen removal function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If high-temperature oxygen stripping is used to remove oxygen from hydrocarbon streams, then oxygen removal effectiveness is improved, but corrosion problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen removal effectivenessVSAvoidcorrosion problems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By reducing the operating temperature from 180°C to 20-150°C, the invention decreases the rate of corrosion reactions and the formation of corrosive byproducts. The lower temperature environment inherently reduces thermal stress and chemical reactivity that cause corrosion in high-temperature stripping systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If high-temperature oxygen stripping is used to remove oxygen from hydrocarbon streams, then oxygen removal effectiveness is improved, but fouling problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen removal effectivenessVSAvoidfouling problems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter to a lower range (20-150°C) that prevents the formation of gums and fouling deposits. By operating below the temperature threshold where oxygenates and olefins polymerize into fouling materials, the system achieves effective oxygen removal without generating fouling problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 process effectively removes oxygen from hydrocarbon streams at lower temperatures, minimizing energy consumption and capital costs while preventing corrosion, fouling, and solvent degradation, and can be integrated into various process units like aromatics extraction units.

Implementation Method 1

reacting the oxygen with the copper to form copper oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS8609048B1Process for reducing corrosion, fouling, solvent degradation, or zeolite degradation in a process unit

Publication Date: 2013.12.17 UOP LLC

AI summary

A process for process for reducing one or more of corrosion, fouling, solvent degradation, or zeolite degradation in a process unit is described. The process includes introducing the hydrocarbon feedstream containing oxygen to an adsorbent bed containing copper and reacting the oxygen with the copper to form copper oxide and a reduced oxygen feedstream, and introducing the reduced oxygen feedstream into the process unit. A process for reducing one or more of corrosion, fouling, solvent degradation, or zeolite degradation in an aromatics extraction unit is also described.