Ethyleneamine Production via Merged EDC and Transamination Processes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing ethyleneamines, such as the EDC and RA processes, face limitations in product mix flexibility and cost-effectiveness, constraining the ability to produce desirable ethyleneamine compositions.
Innovation Solution
Combining an ethyleneamine-generating process with a transamination process to enhance product mix flexibility, allowing for the transformation of less desirable ethyleneamine product mixes into more desirable ones by increasing the concentration of specific ethyleneamines like DETA, AEP, and TETA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single ethyleneamine-generating process (EDC or RA) is used, then the process is simple and cost-effective, but the product mix flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different ethyleneamine-generating processes (EDC process and RA process) into a single integrated system. The EDC process provides a broad range of ethyleneamines while the RA process provides selectivity for lighter amines, and their combination enables flexible production of various ethyleneamine compositions without requiring multiple separate plants, thus improving product mix flexibility while controlling process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated process system is designed to produce multiple types of ethyleneamines (lighter amines like ethylenediamine and heavier amines like diethylenetriamine) within a single process framework. The system can be configured to prioritize different product types based on market demand, making the process universally applicable for producing various ethyleneamine compositions from a single integrated unit
2Adaptability or versatility
If reductive amination process is used, then selectivity for lighter amines is high, but flexibility to produce broader range of ethyleneamines is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RA process (which provides selectivity for lighter amines) with the EDC process (which provides broader product range). This combination allows the system to maintain high selectivity for lighter amines like ethylenediamine while also being capable of producing heavier amines such as diethylenetriamine, thereby achieving both product selectivity and mix flexibility simultaneously
3Adaptability or versatility
If EDC process is used, then full range of ethyleneamines is produced, but cost-effectiveness and product mix control are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the EDC process with the RA process to create an integrated system that maintains the broad product range of the EDC process while incorporating the cost-effectiveness and selectivity advantages of the RA process. The integration allows for optimized production costs through shared infrastructure and materials while maintaining flexibility in product mix configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the integrated process to control product distribution. By adjusting operational parameters such as temperature, pressure, and reactant ratios in the combined EDC and RA processes, the system can optimize production costs while achieving desired product mixes, thereby improving both cost-effectiveness and product mix flexibility
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 improves the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of ethyleneamine production, enabling the selective increase of desired ethyleneamines in the product mix without significantly increasing undesirable homologs, thus optimizing the ethyleneamine composition.
Implementation Method 1
transaminating at least a portion of the ethyleneamines composition to form a transaminated ethyleneamines composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods of manufacturing ethyleneamines that makes use of an ethyleneamine-generating process that is coupled to a transamination process. The combination of an ethyleneamine-generating process with a transamination process improves the mix flexibility that can be obtained from the single process allowing the production of ethyleneamine compositions having an improved and more desirable product mix.