Hydrocarbon Stream Purification via Solid Acid Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of organoaluminum compounds in hydrocarbon streams contaminates olefins and diluents, limiting their further use due to issues like alumina precipitation and corrosion, and poses challenges in downstream equipment maintenance, especially in polymerization processes where simple disposal methods like flaring are no longer acceptable due to environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A process involving contacting a contaminated hydrocarbon stream with a specifically selected chemical agent capable of reacting with organoaluminum compounds at temperatures above the boiling point of the stream, reducing the aluminum content to levels suitable for further use, such as 10 ppm or less, using a contact vessel like a shower tray type, where the chemical agent forms rings or aromatic systems to effectively neutralize the contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water or alcohols are injected to react with organoaluminum compounds, then the organoaluminum compounds are deactivated, but alumina precipitation occurs requiring difficult filtration and frequent blockage at injection point
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful organoaluminum compounds are extracted from the hydrocarbon stream through selective adsorption onto solid acid catalysts (zeolites, silica-alumina, alumina). This removes the contaminants without generating precipitates that would clog injection points, directly resolving the operational difficulties associated with water/alcohol injection methods
Solution Approach 2:
Solid acid catalysts serve as intermediary substances that facilitate the deactivation of organoaluminum compounds through surface reactions. These catalysts provide active sites for reaction without requiring direct contact between water/alcohol and the organoaluminum compounds, thereby avoiding precipitate formation and injection point blockage
2Reliability
If conventional purification methods are used, then organoaluminum compounds are removed, but the process becomes complex requiring multiple steps including precipitation and filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The purification process is segmented into a simple two-step procedure: (1) contact the contaminated stream with solid acid catalyst in a reaction zone, and (2) separate the catalyst from the purified stream. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex precipitation and filtration operations while maintaining high purification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the deactivating agent from liquid (water/alcohol) to solid (acid catalysts). This parameter change simplifies the overall process by eliminating precipitation and filtration steps, as the solid catalyst can be easily separated from the hydrocarbon stream through settling or filtration without requiring additional processing steps
3Reliability
If flaring is used to eliminate organoaluminum compounds, then the contaminants are disposed of, but natural resources are depleted and emissions are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful organoaluminum compounds are converted into beneficial or harmless substances through reaction with solid acid catalysts. The organoaluminum compounds are transformed into aluminum salts or other non-harmful products that can be easily separated, converting a harmful waste stream into a manageable byproduct while avoiding the emissions and resource depletion associated with flaring
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 process effectively purifies hydrocarbon streams by reducing aluminum content, making the purified streams suitable for intended uses like fuel gas or LPG, reducing maintenance needs and environmental impact by minimizing residual contaminants, as demonstrated in industrial propylene polymerization plant tests.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a contaminated hydrocarbon stream with a specifically selected chemical agent capable of reacting with organoaluminum compounds
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for producing a purified hydrocarbon stream by contacting a hydrocarbon stream, which is contaminated with one or more organoaluminum compounds, with a specifically selected chemical agent capable of reacting with said one or more organoaluminum compounds.