Epoxyalkane Purification via Extractant Side-Draw Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing epoxyalkane face challenges in achieving high purity and yield while minimizing extractant loss and energy consumption, due to issues with diol accumulation and impurity solubility in existing purification processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a separation column with a side-draw outlet to extract an azeotrope of the extractant and diol, followed by cooling and phase separation to remove diol impurities, which improves extractant purity and reduces losses, combined with a reboiler arrangement to recycle the extractant efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If water washing is used to remove diol impurities, then diol removal is achieved, but hydrolysis of butylene oxide is exacerbated causing product loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts diol impurities from the extractant circulation system by taking out a side stream containing diol-impure extractant, treating it to separate and remove diol, and returning the purified extractant to the system. This selective extraction removes harmful diol impurities without requiring water washing that would cause hydrolysis of butylene oxide.
2Ease of manufacture
If ordinary distillation is used for purification, then the process is simple, but the epoxyalkane product standards cannot be reached due to azeotrope formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an extractant (C7-C20 hydrocarbon or diol) as an intermediary substance that forms an azeotrope with water and other impurities. This intermediary enables selective extraction and separation of impurities from epoxyalkane, achieving high product purity while maintaining process feasibility through extractive distillation or liquid-liquid extraction.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If extractant is recycled without diol removal, then process continuity is maintained, but extraction efficiency decreases due to diol accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a side stream of the circulating extractant is continuously withdrawn, treated to remove accumulated diol impurities, and the purified extractant is returned to the system. This feedback loop maintains extraction efficiency by preventing diol accumulation while preserving process continuity through continuous recycling of the bulk extractant.
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 enhances the purity of the circulating extractant, increases epoxyalkane yield, and reduces energy consumption by effectively removing diol impurities and recycling the extractant, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the epoxyalkane production process.
Implementation Method 1
producing a second stream containing an azeotrope of the extractant and diol from the side-draw of the separation column located lower than a feed position
Implementation Method 2
separating, in a separation column, a first stream containing epoxyalkane, extractant and diol
Implementation Method 3
followed by cooling and phase separation to remove diol impurities
Implementation Method 4
followed by cooling and phase separation
Implementation Method 5
combined with a reboiler arrangement to recycle the extractant efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing epoxyalkane includes the step of separating, in a separation column, a stream containing epoxyalkane, extractant, and diol. The separation column operates under conditions so as to enable the extractant and the diol to form an azeotrope, and a stream containing extractant and binary azeotrope is extracted from the side-draw of the separation column to liquid-liquid separation. The method can be used for the industrial production of epoxyalkane.