Distillation method for the separation of n-butanal and iso-butanal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The separation of n-butyl aldehyde from its isomer, iso-butyl aldehyde, is challenging due to their small boiling point difference, requiring high energy and resulting in decreased product purity in existing distillation methods.

Innovation Solution

A distillation device with two distillation units and a heat exchanger is used to optimize temperature and pressure conditions for efficient separation, minimizing energy loss and achieving high-purity products by maximizing heat exchange efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional single-step distillation is used to separate n-butyl aldehyde from iso-butyl aldehyde, then the separation process is simple, but high energy is required and product purity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of separation processVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The distillation process is divided into two sequential steps: first distillation to obtain a distillate rich in iso-butyl aldehyde, and second distillation to obtain a distillate rich in n-butyl aldehyde. This segmentation allows each distillation unit to operate under optimized conditions for specific separation targets, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high product purity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs different temperature and pressure parameters for the two distillation steps. The first distillation operates at conditions optimized for iso-butyl aldehyde recovery, while the second distillation uses different parameters optimized for n-butyl aldehyde purification. This parameter optimization minimizes energy consumption while achieving high separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If higher energy is supplied to increase separation efficiency, then product purity improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct purityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes temperature and pressure parameters for each distillation step to achieve high product purity at minimum energy cost. The first distillation uses parameters optimized for iso-butyl aldehyde recovery, while the second distillation uses different parameters for n-butyl aldehyde purification, avoiding excessive energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The two distillation steps are designed to operate continuously with the distillate from the first distillation serving as feed for the second distillation. This continuous process maintains optimal separation efficiency throughout, ensuring high product purity without requiring additional energy-intensive intermediate steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If conventional distillation is used, then the process is simple, but separation efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of distillation unitsVSAvoidseparation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the separation process into two distillation units operating in sequence, with each unit optimized for specific separation objectives. This segmentation increases separation efficiency by allowing each unit to focus on a specific isomer recovery, achieving over 99% purity for both products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each distillation unit operates under specifically optimized temperature and pressure parameters tailored to its separation objective. The first unit operates at parameters optimized for iso-butyl aldehyde recovery, while the second unit uses different parameters for n-butyl aldehyde purification, maximizing overall separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly reduces energy consumption and increases separation efficiency, achieving high purity of n-butyl aldehyde and iso-butyl aldehyde by controlling temperature and pressure differences between the distillation units.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature difference: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 3

separation of n-butyl aldehyde and iso-butyl aldehyde using two distillation units

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 4

since a boiling point difference between n-butyl aldehyde and an isomer thereof, iso-butyl aldehyde, is very small, high energy is required to separate n-butyl aldehyde from iso-butyl aldehyde

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoiling point difference: Boiling

Data Source

PatentEP3214062B1Distillation method for the separation of n-butanal and iso-butanal

Publication Date: 2020.01.08 LG CHEM LTD

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AI summary

The present application relates to a distillation device. By using the distillation device of the present application, energy loss occurring during a purification process of a mixture including an isomer, for example, a raw material including n-butyl aldehyde and iso-butyl aldehyde, can be minimized, and a high-purity product can be separated, thus increasing economic efficiency of a process.