Cumene Purification Split to Prevent Dimer Pipe Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing cumene result in the formation of cumene dimer (2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane), which causes piping clogging due to solidification at normal temperatures, necessitating heating of the piping to maintain flowability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a cumene conversion step to produce a solution containing cumene and 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane, followed by a purification step to separate these components, ensuring the flow maintains good flowability at normal temperatures by controlling the composition of the 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cumene dimer (2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane) is produced in the cumene conversion step, then cumene production is achieved, but the cumene dimer causes piping clogging due to solidification at normal temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic cumene dimer component from the cumene product stream through a dedicated separation column. The separation column divides the mixed liquid into a cumene-rich stream and a cumene dimer-rich stream, removing the solidification-prone component from the main product flow to prevent piping clogging while maintaining high cumene production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the cumene dimer-containing stream by controlling the separation process to achieve a specific composition ratio. By adjusting the separation conditions to create a stream with controlled cumene dimer concentration and specific gravity, the patent prevents solidification at normal temperatures while still allowing cumene production to proceed.
2Reliability
If heating is applied to maintain flowability of cumene dimer in piping, then piping clogging is prevented, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cumene dimer component that requires heating through extraction/separation. By dividing the mixed liquid into separate streams, the cumene-rich stream can be transported without heating, eliminating the energy consumption associated with heating the entire flow to prevent solidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of cumene dimer solidification into a beneficial separation process. Instead of using energy to prevent solidification through heating, the patent uses the solidification tendency as a separation mechanism, where the cumene dimer naturally separates and can be handled in a controlled manner, eliminating the need for continuous heating.
3Productivity
If cumene dimer content is increased to improve cumene production efficiency, then productivity increases, but the risk of solidification and piping clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cumene production process into separate stages: a conversion step that can produce high amounts of cumene dimer for efficiency, and a separation step that divides the product stream. This segmentation allows the conversion step to operate at high productivity without immediate concern for solidification, as the separation step subsequently divides the stream into manageable compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters through controlled separation. By adjusting separation conditions to achieve specific gravity differences and composition ratios, the patent transforms the high-dimer stream into separate streams with controlled properties, maintaining productivity while reducing solidification risk in the main product stream.
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 allows for maintaining good flowability of the cumene dimer at normal temperatures, preventing piping clogging and eliminating the need for heating the piping.
Implementation Method 1
a separation column that separates a mixed liquid into a first liquid and a second liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing cumene of the present invention includes steps (e) and (f) below, a cumene conversion step (e): a step of converting cumyl alcohol to cumene to obtain a solution (1) containing cumene, the solution (1) being taken as a flow (1), and a cumene purification step (f): a step of separating the solution (1) of the flow (1) into at least a solution (2) containing purified cumene, and a solution (3) containing 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane to obtain a flow (2) containing purified cumene and a flow (3) containing 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane, in which the flow (3) contains 20 wt % or more and 99 wt % or less of acetophenone, and 1 wt % or more and 10 wt % or less of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane.