Method Of Preparing Functional Polymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid-liquid and gas-liquid contacting operations, ensuring adequate contact area between immiscible phases for effective mass transfer and reactions is challenging, particularly in processes like mercaptan sulfur conversion to disulfide oil, where conventional catalysts may not provide sufficient reaction extent.
Innovation Solution
Functional polymers with grafted macrocycles, formed by creating an amide bond between polymers and macrocycles, are introduced into fiber bundle contactors to enhance the contact area and catalytic activity, facilitating the conversion of mercaptan sulfur to disulfide oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catalysts are used in liquid-liquid contactors for mercaptan sulfur conversion, then the device structure is simple, but the reaction extent is insufficient and product stream does not meet specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a polymer support with macrocycle catalysts to create a functional polymer catalyst system. The polymer provides structural support while the grafted macrocycles provide catalytic activity, achieving both high reaction extent and stable product specifications through the synergistic combination of materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by grafting macrocycle catalysts specifically onto the polymer structure at localized sites. This creates regions of high catalytic activity distributed throughout the polymer matrix, ensuring sufficient reaction extent while maintaining overall catalyst stability and product specification compliance
2Reliability
If mass transfer devices are designed with longer contact time to ensure sufficient reaction extent, then the contact area between phases is improved, but the device size increases and becomes less economically viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the catalytic activity parameter through the use of macrocycle catalysts grafted on polymer supports. This increases the reaction rate constant, allowing sufficient reaction extent to be achieved in a compact device volume without requiring extended contact time or larger device dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies accelerated oxidation by employing macrocycle catalysts that enhance the oxidation rate of mercaptan sulfur compounds. This catalytic acceleration enables the reaction to proceed to completion within a compact mass transfer device, eliminating the need for oversized equipment to achieve adequate contact time
3Ease of operation
If immiscible liquids are used in liquid-liquid contactors, then phase separation after contacting is facilitated, but adequate contact area between phases is difficult to achieve before separation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by using a polymer-supported macrocycle catalyst as a mediating phase between the immiscible liquid phases. The polymer matrix provides a third phase that facilitates intimate contact between the immiscible liquids while maintaining sufficient contact area for the catalytic reaction, and the catalyst promotes reaction completion before phase separation occurs
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 use of functional polymers with grafted macrocycles increases the reaction extent and efficiency in mercaptan sulfur conversion, producing a product stream that meets specifications by improving contact area and catalytic activity within mass transfer devices.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the polymer and the macrocycle to form an amide bond between the polymer and the macrocycle thereby forming the functional polymer
Implementation Method 2
The use of functional polymers with grafted macrocycles increases the reaction extent and efficiency in mercaptan sulfur conversion, producing a product stream that meets specifications by improving contact area and catalytic activity within mass transfer devices
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include: a flow path defined by a conduit; and a functional polymer disposed in the conduit, wherein the functional polymer comprises a polymer and a macrocycle, wherein the macrocycle is grafted to the polymer by an amide bond formed between the macrocycle and the polymer.