De-aromatized Solvent Production via Selective Hydrogenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in producing ultra-low aromatic solvents from hydrocarbon streams while preserving desired iso-paraffin molecules and converting undesired aromatic molecules into naphthene molecules, which affects solvency and environmental health concerns.
Innovation Solution
A process involving multiple hydrotreating and adsorption steps, along with dissolved gas stripping and fractional distillation, is used to produce ultra-low aromatic chemicals with specific boiling ranges and flash points, utilizing a catalyst system that preserves iso-paraffin molecules and converts aromatics into naphthenes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If aromatic saturation process is used to remove aromatic content, then environmental and health concerns are addressed, but the solvency effect of the solvents is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by converting aromatics to naphthenes through hydrogenation, while simultaneously adjusting the paraffinic content to maintain solvency. This involves controlling hydrogenation depth and paraffin saturation levels to achieve ultra-low aromatic content (≤10 ppm) while preserving necessary solvency properties through optimized naphthene and paraffin composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining naphthenes and paraffins in specific ratios to compensate for the loss of aromatic solvency. The naphthene-rich composition (60-90% naphthenes) is combined with controlled paraffin content (10-40% paraffins) to achieve a synergistic effect that maintains high solvency power despite ultra-low aromatic content.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If paraffinic content is increased to replace aromatic solvency, then environmental concerns are reduced, but solvency and other properties are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the paraffinic content parameter to a specific range (10-40% paraffins) rather than maximizing it, while simultaneously controlling naphthene content (60-90%). This parameter optimization ensures that paraffins provide necessary solvency without excessive amounts that would degrade other properties like viscosity index and heat transfer capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different hydrocarbon components: naphthenes provide primary solvency and environmental benefits, while paraffins provide secondary solvency and stability. This local quality differentiation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally within the blended composition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydrocarbon streams are processed to produce multiple grades of solvents, then product versatility is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydrocarbon processing into distinct functional zones: hydrotreating unit for desulfurization and dearomatization, fractionation unit for separating different boiling range products, and blending unit for final product formulation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each unit while producing multiple solvent grades from different hydrocarbon feeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal processing system that can handle multiple types of hydrocarbon feeds (gas oil, diesel, jet fuel) and produce multiple solvent grades (low flash point, high flash point, viscous, non-viscous) through a single integrated complex, making the system adaptable to various feedstocks and product requirements.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrotreating and aromatic saturation are performed to convert aromatics to naphthenes, then ultra-low aromatic content is achieved, but iso-paraffin molecules may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies selective hydrogenation conditions that target aromatic rings while preserving iso-paraffin molecules. The hydrotreating unit operates with controlled temperature, pressure, and catalyst selection to ensure that aromatic saturation occurs without excessive hydrogenation of paraffinic structures, maintaining iso-paraffin integrity for solvency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control in the hydrotreating process by monitoring the composition of hydrocarbon streams and adjusting hydrogenation severity accordingly. This ensures that aromatic content is reduced to ultra-low levels while iso-paraffin content is maintained at levels sufficient for preserving solvency properties.
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 process enables the production of high-value specialty solvents from low-value hydrocarbon streams, optimizing pressure and segregating reaction zones to generate multiple grades of de-aromatized solvents with improved solvency and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst system that preserves iso-paraffin molecules and converts aromatics into naphthenes
Implementation Method 2
At least one adsorption step for a selective adsorption, or a selective desorption of at least one molecule from the hydrotreated hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein, the selective adsorption is based on the difference in polarity of the molecules
Implementation Method 3
A distillation step for separating out the plurality of ultra-low aromatic chemicals from the hydrotreated hydrocarbon feedstock obtained after at least one adsorption step
Implementation Method 4
at least one dissolved gas stripping step to remove at least one dissolved gas (5) from the hydrotreated hydrocarbon feedstock
Data Source
AI summary
A process and a system are used for production of multiple grades of ultralow aromatic solvents/chemicals having preferred boiling range, flash point and viscosity from different hydrocarbon streams. A plurality of hydrotreating steps are used to hydrotreat a plurality of hydrocarbon feedstocks in the presence of a hydrogen gas stream and a catalyst system. Further, at least one dissolved gas stripping step, at least one adsorption step, and a distillation step are included in the process. Desired iso-paraffin molecules are thereby preserved, and the undesired aromatic molecules are converted into desired naphthene molecules.