Functionalized Carbon Adsorbents for Selective Paraffin Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon-based adsorbents for separating light paraffins from light olefins mixtures lack sufficient selectivity, stability, and regenerability, making them unsuitable for industrial applications at ambient temperatures and pressures.
Innovation Solution
Development of carbon-based adsorbents, such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and fluorine-functionalized activated carbon (AC), which are functionalized with specific groups to selectively adsorb light paraffins, allowing for high purity separation of light olefins at ambient conditions and enabling multiple regeneration cycles without thermal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional carbon-based adsorbents are used for separating light paraffins from light olefins, then the separation process can be performed at ambient conditions, but the selectivity and stability are insufficient for industrial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of carbon-based adsorbents through functionalization with specific groups (fluorine, oxygen-containing groups) to enhance selectivity and stability. This transforms conventional carbon materials into high-performance adsorbents suitable for industrial separation of light paraffins from olefins at ambient conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite adsorbent materials by combining carbon-based substrates with functional groups (e.g., fluorinated carbon, oxygen-functionalized carbon). These composite structures integrate the advantages of carbon materials (stability, porosity) with the selective binding capabilities of functional groups, achieving both high selectivity and industrial applicability
2Use of energy by moving object
If existing adsorbents are used for paraffin removal, then the process operates at ambient temperature and pressure, but the adsorbents lack sufficient regenerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs adsorbents with reversible adsorption properties, allowing paraffins to be selectively adsorbed during the separation process and then easily desorbed through simple regeneration cycles. The functionalized carbon materials maintain their structural integrity and adsorption capacity across multiple regeneration cycles, enabling continuous operation without frequent replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorbents are designed to automatically regenerate through ambient pressure swing or simple heating, without requiring complex external systems. The functional groups on the carbon surface facilitate easy desorption of adsorbed paraffins, allowing the adsorbent to restore its capacity for subsequent separation cycles
3Manufacturing precision
If high selectivity adsorbents are developed, then separation efficiency improves, but the complexity of adsorbent synthesis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific functional groups at localized sites on the carbon surface rather than requiring uniform modification throughout the entire material. This local functionalization approach (e.g., fluorine groups at specific positions, oxygen-containing groups on surface defects) achieves high selectivity while simplifying the overall synthesis process compared to complete structural reorganization
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 adsorbents achieve high selectivity and capacity for light paraffins, maintaining performance across multiple regeneration cycles, reducing energy consumption, and ensuring stability under industrial conditions.
Implementation Method 1
carbon-based adsorbents for selective removal of paraffins from light olefin/paraffin mixtures
Implementation Method 2
functional groups configured to selectively adsorb the light paraffins from the mixture
Implementation Method 3
the adsorbent comprising a carbonaceous based material functionalized at least in part on active sites thereof with functional groups configured to selectively adsorb the light paraffins
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to functionalized carbon-based adsorbents for use in selective removal of paraffin impurities from a light paraffins/olefins mixture, in particular at ambient/normal conditions of temperature and pressure. The carbon-based adsorbent comprises a carbonaceous based material functionalized at least in part on active sites thereof with functional groups configured to selectively adsorb the light paraffins from the mixture, thereby resulting in a purity of at least 99.9% of the light olefins upon separation. As described, the adsorbent may comprise activated carbon functionalized at least in part on active sites thereof with fluorine functional groups. Alternatively, the adsorbent may comprise reduced graphene oxide having at least in part on active sites thereof oxygen groups. Methods for manufacturing the absorbents and use them are also disclosed.