Ethylene Oxide Production with CO2 Electrolytic Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for producing ethylene oxide results in significant carbon dioxide emissions, which are detrimental to the environment, and the carbon dioxide generated is often released into the atmosphere without being effectively utilized.
Innovation Solution
A method involving ethylene oxide generation, gas-liquid separation, carbon dioxide separation, and electrolytic reduction steps to recycle carbon dioxide into ethylene and oxygen, which are then used as raw materials, reducing the need for external inputs and lowering emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If carbon dioxide is separated and released from the reaction product, then the purity of ethylene oxide is improved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful carbon dioxide byproduct into valuable raw materials through electrolytic reduction, transforming it into ethylene and oxygen that can be reused in the ethylene oxide production process. This eliminates carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining product purity, directly resolving the contradiction between purification and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding carbon dioxide as waste, the patent recovers it through separation and then regenerates useful substances (ethylene and oxygen) via electrolytic reduction. The recovered materials are fed back into the production process, simultaneously achieving purification and emission reduction.
2Productivity
If external raw materials are continuously purchased for production, then the production process can continue, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-sufficient production system where carbon dioxide byproduct is converted back into raw materials (ethylene and oxygen) through electrolytic reduction. These regenerated materials are reused in the production process, reducing dependence on external raw material purchases and lowering production costs while maintaining continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where carbon dioxide from the reaction product is separated, converted back into ethylene and oxygen through electrolysis, and then fed back as raw materials into the ethylene oxide production process. This closed-loop system reduces external material inputs and costs while sustaining production.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional separation methods are used to remove carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide can be separated, but the separated carbon dioxide is still released to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent takes the separated carbon dioxide, which would normally be released as harmful emissions, and converts it into valuable raw materials through electrolytic reduction. The carbon dioxide is transformed into ethylene and oxygen that are reused in production, eliminating atmospheric release while maintaining effective separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the separated carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, the patent recovers it and converts it into useful substances through electrolytic reduction. The recovered ethylene and oxygen are fed back into the production process, achieving both separation and emission prevention.
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 significantly decreases carbon dioxide emissions by recycling it into valuable raw materials, lowers production costs, and optimizes the use of byproducts like methane as a diluent gas, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the ethylene oxide production process.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic reduction step (4) in which the carbon dioxide separated from the second mixture is electrolytically reduced to obtain a fourth mixture containing ethylene, methane, and unreacted carbon dioxide at a cathode and to obtain oxygen at an anode
Implementation Method 2
a gas-liquid separation step (2) in which the first mixture is gas-liquid separated into a second mixture which is a gaseous component containing ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide and a third mixture which is a liquid component containing ethylene oxide and water
Implementation Method 3
a carbon dioxide separation step (3) in which carbon dioxide is separated from the second mixture
Implementation Method 4
ethylene oxide is produced by catalytic oxidation of ethylene in a gas by using silver as a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing ethylene oxide includes an ethylene oxide generation step 1 in which a first mixture containing ethylene oxide is obtained by causing ethylene and oxygen to react in presence of a diluent gas; a gas-liquid separation step 2 in which the first mixture is gas-liquid separated into a second mixture containing ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide and a third mixture containing ethylene oxide and water; a carbon dioxide separation step 3 in which carbon dioxide is separated from the second mixture; and an electrolytic reduction step 4 in which the carbon dioxide is electrolytically reduced to obtain a fourth mixture containing ethylene, methane, and carbon dioxide and to obtain oxygen. In the carbon dioxide separation step, carbon dioxide is separated from the fourth mixture. In the ethylene oxide generation step, the second mixture and the fourth mixture, from which carbon dioxide has been removed, and the oxygen obtained in the electrolytic reduction step are used as raw material and a diluent gas.