Devolatilization of Thermally Produced Liquids to Raise Flash Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermally produced liquids from biomass and petroleum conversion have low flash points, making them hazardous for storage and handling due to flammability concerns, as existing methods fail to effectively reduce volatile components and elevate the flash point to safe thresholds.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using devolatilization processes such as wiped film evaporators, falling film evaporators, packed columns, and devolatilization tanks to selectively remove volatile components from thermally converted liquids, adjusting temperatures and pressures to raise the flash point above 55-62°C, and incorporating systems like carbon filters and scrubbers to capture evolved vapors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If thermally produced liquids are stored and handled without devolatilization, then handling simplicity is maintained, but flash point is too low causing flammability hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts volatile components from thermally produced liquids through devolatilization processes. The liquid product from thermal conversion is contacted with a stripping gas (such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or recycled off-gas) that removes volatile organic compounds through mass transfer. This extraction of harmful volatile components raises the flash point above regulatory thresholds (55-62°C) while maintaining operational simplicity through established gas-liquid contactors like packed columns or vented storage tanks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If devolatilization processes are applied to raise flash point, then flash point increases to safe thresholds, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The devolatilization system is designed to be self-service by utilizing the liquid product itself as part of the processing medium. The liquid is circulated through the contactor and back to storage, creating a self-contained loop. Off-gas from the process can be recycled as the stripping gas, eliminating the need for separate gas supply systems. This self-service approach achieves flash point elevation while minimizing external system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the form of temperature and pressure control during devolatilization. By maintaining the liquid at temperatures below its flash point and using pressure differential (venting to atmosphere or slight vacuum), the system optimizes volatile removal efficiency. These parameter adjustments are achieved through simple controls on existing equipment rather than complex processing systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If volatile components are removed through devolatilization, then flash point is elevated, but energy consumption increases due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inert gas atmosphere (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or recycled off-gas) to facilitate devolatilization without requiring high temperatures. The stripping gas creates a non-flammable environment that allows volatile components to be removed at or near ambient temperatures through mass transfer alone. This eliminates the need for energy-intensive heating while still achieving flash point elevation above regulatory thresholds.
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 effectively increases the flash point of thermally produced liquids, enhancing their safety for storage and handling by reducing volatile components, thereby meeting regulatory thresholds and ensuring safer transportation and processing.
Implementation Method 1
devolatilization processes such as wiped film evaporators, falling film evaporators, packed columns, and devolatilization tanks to selectively remove volatile components
Implementation Method 2
incorporating systems like carbon filters and scrubbers to capture evolved vapors
Implementation Method 3
incorporating systems like carbon filters and scrubbers to capture evolved vapors
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for the devolatilization of thermally produced liquids to raise the flash point are disclosed. Various methods and apparatus can be used to effectively reduce the volatile components, such as wiped film evaporator, falling film evaporator, flash column, packed column, devolatilization vessel or tank.