Ionic Liquid Regeneration via Free HCl Stripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for regenerating deactivated ionic liquid catalysts in hydrocarbon conversion processes are inefficient, often resulting in incomplete conjunct polymer conversion and introducing costly regenerants or safety hazards, with many methods failing to achieve above 90% conversion and causing solids handling issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reduction of free hydrochloric acid in deactivated ionic liquids using heat, stripping fluids, reduced pressure, or liquid-liquid extraction, followed by regeneration using known methods, reduces the need for excessive regenerants and minimizes safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional regeneration methods (reducing metals, hydrogenation catalysts, basic reagents) are used to remove conjunct polymer from ionic liquid, then conjunct polymer conversion is achieved, but the process introduces costly regenerants, safety hazards, and fails to achieve above 90% conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes free HCl from the ionic liquid system using a stripping fluid (water or dilute acid) before regeneration. This extraction of the harmful component (free HCl) prevents it from interfering with the regeneration process, enabling more than 90% conjunct polymer conversion without the need for excessive regenerants or hazardous reducing metals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs a preliminary action by removing free HCl through stripping before the main regeneration process. This preliminary removal of free HCl creates optimal conditions for subsequent regeneration, allowing basic reagents to work more effectively on conjunct polymer removal and achieving high conversion rates with reduced material costs.
2Productivity
If excessive regenerants are used to achieve complete conjunct polymer conversion, then conversion rate improves, but material costs increase and environmental hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of free HCl (which interferes with regeneration) into a benefit by using it as an indicator for preliminary removal. The presence of free HCl is stripped away first, creating a cleaner system for regeneration. This approach eliminates the need for excessive regenerants and reduces environmental hazards while achieving complete conjunct polymer conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of free HCl concentration by removing it through stripping before regeneration. This parameter change optimizes the regeneration conditions, allowing basic reagents to work more efficiently on conjunct polymer removal, thereby achieving high conversion rates with reduced material and environmental costs.
3Ease of operation
If reducing metals are used to transfer conjunct polymer to hydrocarbon phase, then regeneration is achieved, but solids handling issues and safety hazards are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical solids handling system (reducing metals) with a chemical stripping system. Instead of using solid reducing metals that require complex handling and filtration, the patent uses a liquid stripping fluid to remove free HCl, followed by a simpler regeneration process that avoids solids handling issues entirely.
4Device complexity
If free HCl is not removed before regeneration, then process simplicity is maintained, but excessive regenerants are required and conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the regeneration process into two distinct stages: (1) free HCl removal through stripping, and (2) conjunct polymer removal through regeneration. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, improving overall regeneration efficiency without significantly increasing 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 approach effectively reduces the level of free HCl, allowing for improved regeneration of ionic liquid catalysts with reduced material costs and safer operations, achieving higher conjunct polymer conversion rates and minimizing environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat
Implementation Method 2
reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat
Implementation Method 3
reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction
Implementation Method 4
reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for regenerating deactivated acidic ionic liquid is described. The method involves reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction to form a deactivated acidic ionic liquid having a reduced level of free hydrochloric acid; and regenerating the deactivated acidic ionic liquid having the reduced level of free hydrochloric acid.