Dynamic Crystallization Tube Pressure Control for (Meth)acrylic Acid

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the production of (meth)acrylic acid, crystallization tubes often become unevenly clogged, leading to reduced purity of the product and potential leakage due to incomplete heat transfer and pressure buildup, as existing technologies fail to effectively manage the flow rate and pressure within the crystallization device.

Innovation Solution

A batch-type crystallization device equipped with a pressure meter to monitor and control the circulation flow rate of the crude (meth)acrylic acid solution, adjusting it when pressure exceeds a predetermined value to prevent complete clogging and ensure even crystal growth, thereby maintaining high purity and preventing leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If dynamic crystallization is employed with thin and long crystallization tubes to enlarge heat transfer surface area, then heat energy transfer efficiency is improved, but crystal growth becomes uneven and complete clogging occurs in the lower part of the tube

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat energy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcrystallization tube clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a circulation system that dynamically adjusts the flow of crude (meth)acrylic acid solution through the crystallization tubes. A pump circulates the solution back to the upper end of the tubes, creating a continuous dynamic flow that prevents static crystal accumulation and clogging while maintaining effective heat transfer throughout the tube length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circulation system ensures continuous movement of the crude (meth)acrylic acid solution through the crystallization tubes. By continuously circulating the solution from the lower end back to the upper end, the system maintains uninterrupted heat transfer and prevents the discontinuous flow that would allow crystals to accumulate and cause clogging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Use of energy by moving object

If crystallization tubes are made thin and long to increase heat transfer surface area, then heat transfer effectiveness is improved, but pressure significantly increases in the system due to clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer effectivenessVSAvoidsystem pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation system dynamically manages fluid flow through the crystallization tubes, preventing the static conditions that lead to clogging. By maintaining continuous movement of the crude (meth)acrylic acid solution, the system avoids pressure buildup while preserving the heat transfer effectiveness of the thin and long tube configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circulation system provides feedback control by monitoring the state of the crude (meth)acrylic acid solution and adjusting the circulation flow accordingly. This feedback mechanism prevents clogging before it occurs, thereby maintaining stable pressure levels while preserving heat transfer effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If crystallization is carried out without circulation, then device complexity is reduced, but purity of (meth)acrylic acid is lowered due to mixing of remaining crude solution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallization device structureVSAvoidproduct purity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation system maintains continuous movement of the crude (meth)acrylic acid solution through the crystallization tubes, ensuring that purified solution is continuously replaced and preventing the mixing of crude solution with product. This continuous action maintains high product purity while adding minimal complexity to the device

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

The solution effectively prevents complete clogging of crystallization tubes, maintains high purity of (meth)acrylic acid, and enhances production efficiency by stabilizing pressure within the device, reducing the need for repeated crystallization and minimizing product contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a heat medium flows outside of the crystallization tubes and a crude (meth)acrylic acid solution is circulated to be repeatedly supplied to the crystallization tubes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a crude (meth)acrylic acid solution to be cooled is flowed downward in a coating film-like state along a heat transfer surface of which the reverse side is brought into contact with a cooling medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP2450340B1Device and method for crystallizing (METH)acrylic acid
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO LTD
  • EP2450340B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The objective of the present invention is to provide a crystallization device and a crystallization process for obtaining (meth) acrylic acid with higher purity without causing leakage of a crude solution by preventing complete clogging in a crystallization tube from occurring. The device for crystallizing (meth)acrylic acid according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a crude (meth)acrylic acid solution supply part, a crystallization tube, a heat medium supply tube, a heat medium discharge tube, a storage part of a crude (meth)acrylic acid solution passed through the crystallization tube, a tube for circulating and supplying the crude (meth)acrylic acid solution to the supply part from the storage part, and a pump for circulating and supplying the crude (meth) acrylic acid solution to the supply part from the storage part; and further comprising a pressure meter in the circulate-supply tube; wherein the device is used for carrying out dynamic crystallization in a batch manner by circulating the crude (meth)acrylic acid solution to flow the crude solution downward along the inner wall of the crystallization tube in a coating film-like state.