Multi-Stage Deacon Process for Chlorine Gas Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

The catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride for producing chlorine gas faces challenges such as high energy consumption, low yield, and short catalyst lifetime due to uncontrolled exothermic reactions, leading to increased costs and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A method involving multi-stage feeding of reactants with partial product gas stream recycling and heat management to control reaction temperatures, extending catalyst life and reducing energy consumption by using a series of adiabatic reactors with integrated heat exchangers for efficient heat utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional catalytic oxidation method is used, then chlorine gas can be produced from hydrogen chloride, but the catalyst lifetime is short due to uncontrolled exothermic reactions and high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst lifetimeVSAvoidreaction temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the catalytic oxidation process into multiple stages with separate reactors. Each reactor operates at controlled temperature conditions, preventing the uncontrolled exothermic reactions that previously caused catalyst degradation. The multi-stage approach segments the overall reaction into manageable steps, maintaining catalyst activity throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary cooling system between reactor stages that acts as a heat buffer. This intermediary mechanism absorbs excess heat from exothermic reactions and redistributes it controlledly, preventing temperature spikes that would otherwise damage the catalyst while maintaining optimal reaction conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If conventional direct oxidation method is used, then chlorine gas production can proceed, but energy consumption is high due to lack of heat utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous heat exchange between reactor stages, where heat generated in earlier stages is continuously transferred to subsequent stages. This creates a continuous cycle of useful thermal energy utilization, eliminating idle heat loss and maintaining optimal reaction temperatures throughout the process without external energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of exothermic heat generation into a beneficial resource by capturing and redistributing this heat to other reaction stages. The previously wasted thermal energy becomes a useful input for maintaining reaction temperatures, turning energy loss into energy gain and significantly reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If conventional single-stage oxidation is used, then the process is simple, but the yield is low and reaction control is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine gas yieldVSAvoidreactor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple reactors arranged in series, with each reactor optimized for specific conversion requirements. This segmentation allows progressive conversion of hydrogen chloride to chlorine gas across stages, achieving high overall yield while maintaining simple individual reactor designs. The multi-stage configuration transforms a complex high-yield requirement into multiple simple stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 prolongs catalyst lifetime, reduces production costs, and achieves efficient chlorine gas production with improved reaction control, meeting industrialization requirements and environmental standards.

Implementation Method 1

The catalytic oxidation method, particularly the Deacon catalytic oxidation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride is exothermic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentEP3239098B1Method for catalytically oxidizing hydrogen chloride to prepare chlorine gas
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 FININGS CO LTD
  • EP3239098B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3239098B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3239098B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for preparing chlorine gas through catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride, and more particularly a method for preparing chlorine gas by carrying out one-time hydrogen chloride feeding and multi-stage oxygen feeding and/or one-time oxygen feeding and multi-stage hydrogen chloride feeding, returning a product gas stream without separation thereof, and optionally carrying out heat insulation means. According to the present invention, an excessive reaction heat concentration is prevented, therefore, the method of the present invention is a chlorine gas recovery method implemented through the Deacon catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride that can be industrialized.