Taurine Production Process Using Ethanol-Derived Ethionic Acid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current industrial processes for producing taurine from ethylene oxide and monoethanolamine are costly and involve toxic materials, necessitating a more economical and sustainable method using non-petroleum-derived chemicals.

Innovation Solution

A process converting ethanol-derived ethionic acid into taurine using calcium oxide/calcium hydroxide and sodium sulfate as alkaline media, with three preferred embodiments involving direct ammonolysis of ethionic acid, conversion to sodium isethionate, and production of sodium vinyl sulfonate, allowing for cyclic use of sodium ions and reducing waste and production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ethylene oxide and monoethanolamine are used as starting materials for taurine production, then the production process is established and scalable, but the cost increases and toxic materials are involved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction process stabilityVSAvoidtoxicity of starting materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive and toxic ethylene oxide with readily available, non-toxic ethanol as the starting material. Ethanol can be produced from renewable resources through fermentation, eliminating the need for petroleum-derived chemicals while reducing both cost and toxicity concerns in the taurine production process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using different starting materials (ethanol instead of ethylene oxide and monoethanolamine) and modifying the reaction conditions to achieve taurine production through a new pathway involving ethionic acid, sodium isethionate, and sodium vinyl sulfonate intermediates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If ethylene oxide and monoethanolamine are used as starting materials, then taurine production can be maintained at current levels, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetaurine production volumeVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive petroleum-derived ethylene oxide and monoethanolamine with inexpensive ethanol that can be produced from renewable resources. This substitution maintains taurine production capacity while significantly reducing raw material costs and eliminating dependence on fluctuating petroleum prices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If ethanol-derived ethionic acid is used instead of petroleum-derived chemicals, then environmental sustainability is improved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the taurine production process into distinct stages with identifiable intermediates (ethionic acid, sodium isethionate, sodium vinyl sulfonate). This segmentation allows for better process control, optimization of individual reaction steps, and easier identification of improvement opportunities while maintaining overall process manageability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specific intermediate compounds (sodium isethionate and sodium vinyl sulfonate) that facilitate the conversion of ethanol-derived ethionic acid to taurine. These intermediates serve as bridges between the renewable starting material and the final product, enabling a sustainable production pathway

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a more economical and environmentally friendly method for producing taurine, reducing costs and waste by utilizing readily available ethanol and eliminating the need for toxic starting materials, while increasing the yield and quality of the final product.

Implementation Method 1

a process for the conversion of ethionic acid into sodium isethionate and sodium vinyl sulfonate, key intermediates for producing taurine from ethionic acid by a combined use of calcium oxide/calcium hydroxide and sodium sulfate as alkaline media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a process for the cyclic use of alkali metal ions, more specifically, sodium ion in the form of sodium sulfate, sodium isethionate, and sodium ethionate, in the production of taurine from ethionic acid via key intermediates of sodium isethionate and sodium vinyl sulfonate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS9108907B1Process for the production of taurine from ethanol

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 LIBRE HLDG

AI summary

The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of taurine from ethionic acid and ethanol by way of ethanol-derived ethionic acid by the ammonolysis of ethionic acid and by the ammonolysis of sodium isethionate and sodium vinyl sulfonate, key intermediates prepared from ethionic acid.