Hydroformylation Vaporizer Catch Pot Dimer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hydroformylation process faces challenges in reducing the formation of aldehyde dimers, which decreases the reaction yield and increases the content of branched aldehydes, leading to inefficiencies in the production of target aldehydes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the separation of reaction products in a vaporizer catch pot, where low-boiling point components are recirculated to the vaporizer catch pot in a controlled weight ratio, reducing the concentration and residence time of high-boiling point components, thereby minimizing aldehyde dimer formation and enhancing reaction yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-boiling point components are recirculated to the hydroformylation reactor, then catalyst recovery is improved, but aldehyde dimer formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst recoveryVSAvoidaldehyde dimer formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The recirculation stream is segmented into two separate streams: one for low-boiling point components (unreacted olefin and aldehyde) and another for high-boiling point components (catalyst and aldehyde dimer). This segmentation allows selective recirculation of only the necessary components while removing harmful byproducts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Aldehyde dimer, a harmful byproduct, is extracted and removed from the recirculation stream through the separation system. This prevents the dimer from being recirculated back to the reactor, thereby reducing further dimer formation while maintaining catalyst recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If recirculation rate is increased, then reaction efficiency is improved, but aldehyde dimer concentration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction efficiencyVSAvoidaldehyde dimer concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback control system monitors the aldehyde dimer concentration in the recirculation stream and adjusts the recirculation rate accordingly. When dimer concentration exceeds a threshold, the recirculation rate is reduced or the separation system is activated to remove dimers, preventing excessive dimer accumulation while maintaining optimal reaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters including recirculation rate, temperature, and pressure based on real-time monitoring of aldehyde dimer concentration. This allows optimization of reaction efficiency while preventing excessive dimer formation by adjusting parameters to stay within acceptable limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If residence time of high-boiling point components is extended, then catalyst conversion is improved, but aldehyde dimer formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst conversionVSAvoidresidence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The residence time of high-boiling point components is dynamically optimized rather than fixed. The system adjusts residence time based on real-time measurements of catalyst conversion and aldehyde dimer formation, finding the optimal balance point where sufficient conversion occurs without excessive dimer formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The separation system performs preliminary removal of aldehyde dimer from the recirculation stream before the components re-enter the reactor. This preliminary action prevents the accumulation of dimers that would otherwise occur with extended residence time, allowing longer residence times to be used for improved conversion without the penalty of excessive dimer formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach effectively reduces the amount of aldehyde dimer produced, thereby improving the reaction yield and maintaining a balanced selectivity between linear and branched aldehydes.

Implementation Method 1

introducing the reaction product comprising an aldehyde to a vaporizer (4); separating low-boiling point components of the reaction product to an upper part of a vaporizer catch pot (5) comprised in the vaporizer (4), and separating highboiling point components of the reaction product to a lower part of the vaporizer catch pot (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

separating low-boiling point components of the reaction product to an upper part of a vaporizer catch pot (5) comprised in the vaporizer (4), and separating highboiling point components of the reaction product to a lower part of the vaporizer catch pot (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP4008711B1Aldehyde preparation method and aldehyde preparation apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP4008711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4008711B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4008711B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for preparing an aldehyde according to one embodiment of the present application comprises forming a reaction product comprising an aldehyde by reacting an olefin-based compound with a synthetic gas in a hydroformylation reactor under a catalyst for a hydroformylation reaction; introducing the reaction product comprising an aldehyde to a vaporizer; separating low-boiling point components of the reaction product to an upper part of a vaporizer catch pot comprised in the vaporizer, and separating high-boiling point components of the reaction product to a lower part of the vaporizer catch pot; and recirculating at least a portion of the low-boiling point components separated to an upper part of the vaporizer catch pot to the vaporizer catch pot.