Ionic Liquid Solvent Complex for Non-Destructive Heteroatom Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing organic heteroatom compounds from hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as hydrotreatment, oxidative desulfurization, and denitrogenation, often result in molecular transformations that render these compounds useless, and are energy and cost prohibitive, with difficulty in controlling side reactions and maintaining the compounds' structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a tunable solvent, an ionic liquid formed from pressurized carbon dioxide and water, which selectively forms reversible complexes with target organic heteroatom compounds, allowing for their recovery without decomposition, by adjusting pressure and temperature conditions to control solubility and solvation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods like hydrotreatment or oxidative desulfurization are used to remove organic heteroatom compounds, then the removal efficiency is improved, but the organic heteroatom compounds undergo molecular transformations and lose their structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting pressure and temperature conditions to control the solubility and solvation behavior of the ionic liquid. By tuning these parameters, the ionic liquid selectively forms solvent complexes with target organic heteroatom compounds under mild conditions that preserve molecular structure, while still achieving effective separation. The reversible nature of complex formation allows recovery of intact compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid acts as an intermediary substance that mediates the separation process. It forms reversible solvent complexes with organic heteroatom compounds, enabling selective extraction without direct chemical reaction or molecular transformation. This intermediary approach allows the compounds to be separated while maintaining their original molecular structure, unlike conventional methods that use harsh reagents.
2Reliability
If conventional removal methods are applied, then heteroatom compounds are removed from hydrocarbon feedstocks, but energy consumption and process cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the ionic liquid by controlling pressure and temperature to tune its solvation properties. The ionic liquid transitions between different solvating states reversibly, allowing extraction at one condition set and release of compounds at another. This phase transition approach enables energy-efficient separation without requiring high-temperature hydro treatment or oxidative conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing physical parameters (pressure, temperature) rather than using chemical reactions, the process avoids the high energy consumption associated with conventional methods. The ionic liquid's solubility parameters are tuned to selectively complex with heteroatom compounds under mild conditions, reducing energy requirements while maintaining separation effectiveness.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional desulfurization or denitrogenation processes are used, then environmental regulations are met, but side reactions occur and compound purity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ionic liquid serves as a selective intermediary that complexes with heteroatom compounds through non-destructive interactions. This mediator approach prevents side reactions that occur in conventional oxidative or hydro treatment processes, maintaining compound purity while still achieving the necessary removal to meet environmental standards.
Solution Approach 2:
By controlling pressure and temperature parameters, the process achieves selective extraction without the harsh chemical conditions that cause side reactions. The tuned solubility parameters of the ionic liquid enable precise separation, preserving compound purity while meeting environmental requirements for heteroatom content.
4Manufacturing precision
If selective complexation with target compounds is achieved, then separation specificity is improved, but process complexity increases due to pressure and temperature tuning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes (pressure, temperature) to tune the ionic liquid's solvation characteristics for selective complexation. While this requires control systems, the advantages of high separation specificity and compound recovery outweigh the added complexity. The reversible nature of complex formation simplifies the overall process by eliminating multiple separation stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid performs multiple functions: it selectively extracts different heteroatom compounds (sulfur, nitrogen, organometallic) by tuning its solubility parameters, and it enables reversible complex formation for compound recovery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized processing units, balancing specificity with manageable 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 method enables the non-destructive recovery of organic heteroatom compounds, maintaining their physical and chemical properties, and allows for their reuse in chemical manufacturing processes, while minimizing interference from impurities and side reactions.
Implementation Method 1
the aqueous solvent is tuned to selectively form a solvent complex with a target organic heteroatom compound
Implementation Method 2
an ionic liquid formed from pressurized carbon dioxide and water
Implementation Method 3
an ionic liquid formed from pressurized carbon dioxide and water
Implementation Method 4
A contactor pressure and a contactor temperature of the extraction mixture in the contactor is established that together tune the aqueous solvent
Implementation Method 5
A contactor pressure and a contactor temperature of the extraction mixture in the contactor is established that together tune the aqueous solvent
Implementation Method 6
the solvent complex is decomposed/dissociated in the recovery vessel into carbon dioxide, water molecule and the target organic heteroatom compound
Implementation Method 7
By adjustment of a recovery temperature of the recovery vessel, a recovery pressure of the recovery vessel, or both, the solvent complex is decomposed/dissociated
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods for recovering organic heteroatom compounds from a hydrocarbon feedstock include feeding into a contactor a hydrocarbon feedstock and an aqueous solvent to form an extraction mixture of the aqueous solvent with the hydrocarbon feedstock. The hydrocarbon feedstock includes a hydrocarbon and an organic heteroatom compound. The aqueous solvent includes an ionic liquid formed from pressurized carbon dioxide and water. A pressure and temperature of the extraction mixture may be established that together tune the aqueous solvent to selectively form a solvent complex with the at least one organic heteroatom compound. Then, the solvent complex is extracted to a recovery vessel from the extraction mixture in the contactor. By adjustment of a recovery temperature of the recovery vessel, a recovery pressure of the recovery vessel, or both, the solvent complex decomposes into carbon dioxide and the organic heteroatom compound. The organic heteroatom compound is then recovered from the recovery vessel.