Ionic Liquid Iron Catalyst for Hydrocarbon Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extractive oxidation processes are inefficient in removing heteroatomic compounds, such as sulfur and nitrogen-containing contaminants, from hydrocarbon streams, often requiring harsh conditions and failing to prevent iron catalyst leaching into the oil phase.
Innovation Solution
A catalytic system comprising an ionic liquid with a 1,3-dialkylimidazolium cation and an organometallic iron(II) complex, stabilized by an ionophilic binder system, which maintains the Fe(II) cation in the ionic liquid phase, allowing for selective oxidation of contaminants under mild conditions without leaching into the hydrocarbon phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydrofining processes are used to remove sulfur and nitrogen compounds, then the process can operate under standard conditions, but certain nitrogen-containing compounds poison the catalyst and require harsher operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes nitrogen-containing compounds from the hydrocarbon stream before they can poison the catalyst. The extractive oxidation process selectively oxidizes nitrogen compounds (such as pyridine and quinoline) and sulfur compounds, separating them from the hydrocarbon phase, thereby preventing catalyst poisoning and eliminating the need for harsher operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary oxidation of heteroatomic compounds before the main refining process. By pre-treating the hydrocarbon stream to remove or deactivate nitrogen and sulfur compounds through oxidation, the catalyst is protected from poisoning in advance, allowing the subsequent hydrofining to proceed under milder conditions with maintained catalyst activity.
2Productivity
If iron catalyst is used in extractive oxidation processes, then the oxidation of heteroatomic compounds can be achieved, but the iron catalyst leaches into the oil phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ionic liquid as an intermediary phase between the hydrocarbon stream and the iron catalyst. The ionic liquid dissolves the iron catalyst, creating a homogeneous catalytic system that remains in the ionic liquid phase during the extraction process. This intermediary phase allows the iron catalyst to function effectively for oxidation while preventing its loss to the oil phase, as the ionic liquid and hydrocarbon phases are immiscible.
3Productivity
If harsh conditions are applied to treat difficult contaminants, then removal efficiency increases, but the process becomes less selective and more damaging to the hydrocarbon stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oxidation process by using ionic liquids as the reaction medium. The ionic liquid provides a unique solvent environment that enhances the selectivity of the oxidation reaction. By adjusting the type and composition of the ionic liquid, the process achieves high removal efficiency for difficult contaminants like nitrogen compounds while maintaining selectivity and avoiding damage to the hydrocarbon stream through milder operating conditions.
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 removes sulfur and nitrogen-containing compounds from hydrocarbon streams with high efficiency, preventing iron contamination and enabling the reuse of the catalyst, while maintaining mild operating conditions and high selectivity.
Implementation Method 1
an Fe(II) complex with an ionophilic binder system with catalytic function of activation of the oxidizing agent
Implementation Method 2
extractive oxidation processes for removing heteroatomic compounds from hydrocarbon streams
Implementation Method 3
the contaminants are removed and/or made inert or converted to other compounds that have greater affinity for solvents that are immiscible in the oil
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes an extractive oxidation process for removing contaminants from hydrocarbon streams using an ionic liquid combined with an organometallic ionic complex of iron(II), which comprises a complex of iron(II) cation with an ionophilic binder, catalyst of iron(II) with ionophilic binder in its molecular structure, oxidation of which is performed with an oxidizing agent and is catalysed by the organometallic iron(II) complex present in the phase of the ionic liquid.Besides maintaining its characteristics of selective solvent of oxidizing compounds, the ionic liquid combined with the organometallic complex of iron(II) with catalytic ionophilic binder of the oxidizing agent, stimulating the reactive phenomenon taking place in the ionic liquid phase, with the effect that the iron remains stable in the ionic liquid phase, without being leached into the oily phase. This measure results in a considerable improvement in removal of the heteroatoms from the hydrocarbon medium.