Ethene Oligomerization via MTHxE Etherification and Cleavage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of valuable olefins like 1-hexene and octene from complex mixtures produced by ethene oligomerization is economically challenging due to close boiling points of isomers, leading to inefficient distillation processes and waste of carbon atoms as fuel.
Innovation Solution
A process involving catalytic cleavage of methyl tert-hexyl ether (MTHxE) back into C6 olefins and alcohol, recycling the alcohol for etherification, and reacting C6 olefins with ethene to form octenes, thereby upgrading less attractive olefins and conserving carbon atoms for chemical use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distillation is used to separate olefins with the same number of carbon atoms, then separation can be achieved, but equipment complexity and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an etherification reaction as an intermediary step to convert C6 olefins into ethers with significantly different boiling points. This intermediary chemical transformation enables easy distillation separation without requiring complex distillation equipment, as the ether products have much higher boiling points than the original olefins.
2Manufacturing precision
If distillation is used to separate olefins with the same number of carbon atoms, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the olefins by converting them into ethers through etherification. This parameter change (from olefin to ether) results in a dramatic change in boiling point, allowing separation to occur at much lower energy costs in subsequent distillation steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If C6 olefins are separated from oligomerization mixture, then 1-hexene can be obtained, but carbon atoms are wasted as fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste (C6 olefins that would be burned as fuel) into a beneficial product (ethers). By etherifying the C6 olefins, the process transforms what would be waste material into valuable ether products, thereby eliminating carbon atom loss and creating additional revenue streams.
4Ease of operation
If etherification is performed to separate C6 olefins, then separation becomes easier, but additional process steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separation function with the etherification reaction itself. The etherification step simultaneously performs chemical transformation and creates a basis for easy separation, combining what would otherwise be separate operations into an integrated process flow.
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 efficiently recovers 1-hexene and octene with minimal additional effort, enhancing the utilization of carbon atoms and producing additional sales products, thus improving the economic viability of ethene-based olefin production.
Implementation Method 1
a solid containing at least two components is used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the first oligomerization and/or in the second oligomerization
Implementation Method 2
Subjecting the C6 fraction to etherification upon addition of an alcohol in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst to obtain a first reaction mixture containing at least 1-hexene and 3-methyl-3-methoxypentane
Implementation Method 3
the ether fraction is subjected to a cleavage reaction, yielding a cleavage product containing 3-methyl-cis-2-pentene, 3-methyl-trans-2-pentene, and the alcohol
Implementation Method 4
Working up the first oligomer by distillation, obtaining a C6 fraction containing at least 1-hexene, 3-methyl-cis-2-pentene, and 3-methyl-trans-2-pentene
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the production of 1-hexene and octenes from ethene. Optionally, 1-butene can also be produced. The underlying objective is to further develop a process for the production of 1-hexene from ethene via MTHxE etherification in such a way that the carbon atoms used are chemically utilized more effectively. This objective is achieved by catalytically cleaving MTHxE back into the C6 olefins and the alcohol, recycling the alcohol during the etherification, and reacting the resulting C6 olefins with ethene to form C8 olefins. In this way, the alcohol from the process is not lost but is recycled internally as a derivatizing agent. The less desirable C6 olefins from the cleavage product are upgraded to octene with further ethene, thus providing an additional marketable product.