Ionic Liquid Fluorination for HCFO-1233zd Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current processes for producing 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd) suffer from low yields and catalyst deactivation due to the formation of heavy by-products, leading to reduced productivity and the need for frequent reactor downtime.

Innovation Solution

The process involves fluorinating 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane or 1,1,3,3-tetrachloropropene in the presence of an ionic liquid with hydrogen fluoride, allowing for improved dissolution and reaction, with optional catalysts like TiCl4, to produce HCFO-1233zd while minimizing by-product formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fluorination catalyst is used to increase the yield of HCFO-1233zd, then the manufacturing precision and productivity improve, but heavy by-products, oligomers, and tars build up in the reactor leading to catalyst deactivation and loss of productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction rate of HCFO-1233zdVSAvoidcatalyst stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful by-products (heavy by-products, oligomers, and tars) are continuously extracted from the reactor system through a distillation column, preventing their accumulation that would otherwise lead to catalyst deactivation and productivity loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The process operates continuously with the distillation column running alongside the reactor to continuously remove by-products, maintaining catalyst activity and productivity without periodic shutdowns for catalyst replacement or reactor cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of manufacture

If the reaction is conducted in gas phase, then the process is simpler, but the yield of HCFO-1233zd is relatively low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidyield of HCFO-1233zd
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The reaction phase is changed from gas phase to liquid phase, and a catalyst is introduced to change the reaction conditions, thereby significantly increasing the yield of HCFO-1233zd while maintaining process feasibility through continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If non-catalytic liquid phase reaction is used, then catalyst deactivation is avoided, but the yield and production rate of HCFO-1233zd remain low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst stabilityVSAvoidproduction rate of HCFO-1233zd
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By-products are continuously extracted from the reaction system, preventing catalyst deactivation, while the catalyst remains active at high concentrations to maintain high production rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a composite approach combining a fluorination catalyst with a continuous distillation system, where the catalyst provides high reaction efficiency and the distillation system removes by-products that would cause deactivation, achieving both high productivity and catalyst stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 enhances the yield of HCFO-1233zd, reduces catalyst deactivation, and minimizes downtime by facilitating a more efficient and continuous production process.

Implementation Method 1

reacting a starting material selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (HCC-240fa), 1,1,3,3-tetrachloropropene, and 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropene, alone or in combination, with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase reactor in the presence of an ionic liquid, which facilitates the dissolution and reaction between the starting materials and hydrogen fluoride (HF)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,475 describes a catalyzed liquid phase reaction of HCC-240fa with HF to produce 1233zd in higher yields

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS9272967B2Process for producing 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene in an ionic liquid
Publication Date: 2016.03.01 SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS US INC

AI summary

This invention relates to methods and systems for producing hydrochlorofluoro-olefins, particularly 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd) by the fluorination of a starting material selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (HCC-240fa), 1,1,3,3-tetrachloropropene, and 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropene, alone or in combination, in an ionic liquid.