HMDA Extraction and Vacuum Distillation for Energy-Efficient Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial methods for separating hexamethylene diamine (HMDA) from an aqueous solution obtained from microbial fermentation processes are energy-inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving extraction of HMDA with a monovalent alcohol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, followed by distillation of the HMDA-containing alcoholic phase at a pressure of 1-1000 mbar, using a single distillation column, to separate HMDA from the alcohol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If distillation is performed at conventional pressure to separate HMDA from aqueous solution, then separation is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by performing distillation at reduced pressure (1-1000 mbar) instead of conventional atmospheric pressure. This pressure parameter change lowers the boiling point of HMDA and the extractant, enabling separation at lower temperatures and significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by employing vacuum distillation where HMDA transitions from liquid to vapor phase at reduced pressure and temperature, then condenses back to liquid. This phase transition mechanism at lower energy input levels enables energy-efficient separation of HMDA from the aqueous fermentation broth.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple distillation columns are used to concentrate aqueous raw product or isolate HMDA, then separation purity is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple distillation operations into a single distillation column by performing vacuum distillation of the HMDA-containing alcoholic phase. This combined approach achieves both concentration of the aqueous raw product and isolation of pure HMDA in one integrated unit operation, reducing device complexity from multiple columns to a single column while maintaining separation purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single distillation column performs multiple functions simultaneously: it concentrates the aqueous phase, separates HMDA from the extractant, and purifies the final product. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized distillation columns, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the same separation purity goals.
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 method achieves improved energy efficiency in the separation process by optimizing the distillation pressure, reducing energy consumption and enhancing the separation efficiency of HMDA from the aqueous solution.
Implementation Method 1
extracting the HMDA-containing aqueous solution with a monovalent alcohol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms
Implementation Method 2
distilling the HMDA-containing alcoholic phase at a pressure of 1-1000 mbar and separating the HMDA from the monovalent alcohol
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for separating hexamethylene diamine (HMDA) from an aqueous solution, comprising the steps: a) providing an HMDA-containing aqueous solution, wherein said aqueous solution is a fermentation broth, b) extracting the HMDA-containing aqueous solution with a monovalent alcohol having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, c) obtaining an HMDA-containing alcoholic phase, and d) distilling the HMDA-containing alcoholic phase at a pressure of 1-1000 mbar and separating the HMDA from the monovalent alcohol.