HFC-143 Purification via Solvent-Assisted Extractive Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient method to purify 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143), which is used as a refrigerant and intermediate for obtaining HFO-1132, but current methods are inadequate in achieving high purity efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an extractive distillation step where a composition containing 1-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133b) and/or 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123a) is brought into contact with a solvent such as an amine, halogen compound, or toluene to reduce the amount of HCFC-133b and/or HCFC-123a, followed by a distillation step to separate the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional distillation methods are used to purify HFC-143, then the purification process is simple, but the purification efficiency is insufficient and cannot achieve high purity effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solvent as an intermediary substance to facilitate the separation of HFC-143 from impurities. The solvent selectively interacts with impurity components (such as HCFC-133b and HCFC-123a) through extraction, enabling more effective purification than direct distillation alone. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by achieving both high purity and improved purification efficiency through the solvent-assisted extractive distillation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the distillation process by introducing a solvent that modifies the relative volatility between HFC-143 and impurity components. By changing the chemical environment through solvent addition, the separation efficiency is enhanced, allowing simultaneous achievement of high purity and efficient purification through the modified distillation conditions
2Productivity
If multiple purification steps are added to achieve high purity HFC-143, then the purification efficiency improves, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the extraction function and distillation function into a single integrated extractive distillation process. By combining these two separation mechanisms in one operational unit, the process achieves high purification efficiency without requiring separate extraction and distillation equipment, thus avoiding increased process complexity while maintaining improved productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If extractive distillation with solvent is used to purify HFC-143, then the purity of HFC-143 increases, but the process requires additional solvent recovery steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a solvent recovery system that captures and recycles the solvent from the distillation bottom product. This recovery mechanism eliminates the need for continuous solvent addition, reduces process waste, and maintains high HFC-143 purity while making the additional solvent handling steps self-sustaining rather than net additions to process complexity
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 method effectively purifies HFC-143 by reducing the content of HCFC-133b and/or HCFC-123a to less than 1 mass%, achieving a high purity of HFC-143, which is suitable for use as a refrigerant.
Implementation Method 1
an extractive distillation step of bringing a composition comprising 1-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133b) and/or 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123a), and HFC-143 into contact with a solvent A to obtain a composition having a reduced amount of HCFC-133b and/or HCFC-123a
Implementation Method 2
a distillation step of subjecting a composition comprising HCFC-133b and/or HCFC-123a, and the solvent A obtained from the bottom of an extractive distillation column through the extractive distillation step (1) to distillation to separate the composition into HCFC-133b and/or HCFC-123a, and the solvent A
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for efficiently purifying HFC-143, and a composition comprising HFC-143. A method for producing purified HFC-143.