Formic Acid Thermal Separation with Tertiary Amine Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for obtaining formic acid by thermal separation of streams comprising formic acid and tertiary amines face challenges in achieving high yield, high concentration, and stable long-term operation with low energy consumption while maintaining high purity and constant quality.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the thermal separation of a stream comprising formic acid and a tertiary amine, where the molar ratio of formic acid to tertiary amine is between 0.5 and 5, with a boiling point difference that allows for two-phase separation, enabling recirculation of phases to optimize separation and minimize low-boiler accumulation, thereby maintaining high purity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thermal separation is used to obtain formic acid from streams comprising formic acid and tertiary amines, then formic acid can be obtained with high purity, but energy consumption increases and low-boiler accumulation occurs leading to quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying distillation temperature, pressure, and feed composition ratios to optimize the thermal separation process. By controlling the molar ratio of formic acid to tertiary amine between 0.5 and 5, and adjusting distillation conditions, the process achieves high purity formic acid while minimizing energy consumption and preventing low-boiler accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the composition of the distillate and adjusting operating parameters accordingly. The recirculation of the lower liquid phase back to the distillation apparatus creates a closed-loop system that maintains stable operation and prevents quality deterioration by automatically compensating for low-boiler accumulation
2Quantity of substance
If thermal separation is used to obtain formic acid, then high concentration can be achieved, but operating stability decreases over long periods due to low-boiler accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by separating low-boilers from the main process stream and recirculating the purified lower liquid phase back to the distillation apparatus. This prevents low-boiler accumulation that would otherwise destabilize long-term operation, while maintaining high formic acid concentration in the product stream
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing a recirculation system that continuously processes the lower liquid phase back through the distillation apparatus. This continuous operation maintains stable composition and prevents disruptions that would occur with batch processing, enabling reliable long-term operation at high concentration
3Productivity
If the molar ratio of formic acid to tertiary amine is optimized for high yield, then separation efficiency decreases due to difficulty in achieving two-phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the molar ratio parameter within the range of 0.5 to 5, which balances yield with separability. By controlling this ratio along with temperature and pressure parameters, the process achieves both high formic acid yield and efficient two-phase separation, making the manufacturing process equally effective in both productivity and ease of operation
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
The process achieves high yield and concentration of formic acid with stable, high-purity production over long operating times and low energy consumption, effectively managing low-boiler accumulation to prevent quality deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
formic acid is removed by distillation at a temperature at the bottom of from 100 to 300° C. and a pressure of from 30 to 3000 hPa abs from the resulting liquid stream in a distillation apparatus
Implementation Method 2
obtaining formic acid by thermal dissociation of compounds of formic acid and a tertiary nitrogen base
Implementation Method 3
the bottom output from the distillation apparatus is separated into two liquid phases
Data Source
AI summary
Process for obtaining formic acid by thermal separation of a stream comprising formic acid and a tertiary amine (I), in which a liquid stream comprising formic acid and tertiary amine (I) is produced by combining tertiary amine (I) and a formic acid source, secondary components comprised therein are separated off, formic acid is removed by distillation from the resulting liquid stream in a distillation apparatus, where the bottom output from the distillation apparatus is separated into two liquid phases, and the upper liquid phase is recirculated to the formic acid source and the lower liquid phase is recirculated to the separation of the secondary components and/or to the distillation apparatus, wherein low boilers are removed by distillation from the upper liquid phase and recirculated to the depleted stream.