Ionic Liquid Purification of Olefins from Acetylenes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for purifying olefins from acetylenic compounds are costly, energy-intensive, and inefficient, leading to catalyst poisoning, product contamination, and explosive risks due to the formation of unstable copper or silver acetylides, and require complex regeneration processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of pyrrolidinium-based or piperidinium-based ionic liquid mixtures comprising copper (I) halide, which stabilizes copper (I) and selectively removes acetylenic compounds through absorption or extraction processes, preventing oxidation and acetylide formation, and allowing for simple and economical purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If partial hydrogenation of acetylenes into olefins using noble metal catalyst is used, then acetylenic compounds are removed from olefins, but over-hydrogenation occurs producing paraffins resulting in olefin loss and catalyst poisoning from carbon deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical environment parameters by using ionic liquids with specific cations (pyrrolidinium, piperidinium) and anions to create a selective coordination environment. This modifies the reaction parameters to achieve selective acetylene removal without over-hydrogenation, maintaining olefin integrity while removing acetylenic compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates selective interaction between copper(I) and acetylenic compounds. The ionic liquid mediates the removal process by forming stable complexes with acetylenes through copper(I), preventing direct harmful reactions while enabling selective separation without catalyst poisoning or olefin loss
2Reliability
If solvent extraction using organic solvents like DMF or NMP is used, then acetylenes are separated from cracking process, but significant solvent loss occurs after multiple operations and selectivity of acetylenes over olefins is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the solvent system from conventional organic solvents (DMF, NMP) to ionic liquids with unique properties. The ionic liquid's low vapor pressure and high thermal stability change the physical parameters, eliminating solvent loss through evaporation while maintaining extraction efficiency and improving selectivity for acetylenes over olefins
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material system consisting of ionic liquid combined with copper(I) halide. This composite provides both the extraction medium (ionic liquid) and the selective binding agent (copper(I)), creating a synergistic system that achieves high selectivity and prevents solvent loss simultaneously
3Reliability
If low temperature distillation is used to separate unsaturated compounds from saturated hydrocarbon mixtures, then separation is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The ionic liquid acts as a chemical intermediary that enables separation through selective complexation rather than physical distillation. By forming stable complexes with acetylenic compounds, the ionic liquid allows separation at ambient or mild temperatures, eliminating the need for energy-intensive low temperature distillation while achieving effective separation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/physical separation method (distillation requiring temperature control and energy input) with a chemical separation method based on selective complexation. The ionic liquid-copper(I) system chemically binds acetylenes, allowing separation through simple phase separation or filtration without energy-consuming distillation equipment
4Reliability
If molecular sieves are used to adsorb and remove unsaturated compounds, then CO and other unsaturated compounds are removed, but adsorption capacity is limited and high temperature and high vacuum pressure are required for stripping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the adsorption mechanism from physical adsorption in molecular sieves to chemical complexation with ionic liquid-copper(I) system. This parameter change in the interaction mechanism allows for lower temperature operation and simpler stripping processes, as the complexation can be reversed under milder conditions without requiring high vacuum pressure
5Reliability
If Cu(I) or Ag(I) salt is used for separation through reversible π-complexation, then acetylenic compounds are removed, but unstable copper- or silver-acetylides are produced creating explosion risks
Solution Approach 1:
The ionic liquid serves as a protective intermediary that stabilizes copper(I) in solution and controls its reactivity. By dissolving copper(I) halide in the ionic liquid, the copper(I) is surrounded by ionic liquid molecules that prevent direct, uncontrolled reaction with acetylenes to form explosive acetylides, while still enabling selective complexation for removal
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid creates an inert chemical environment that stabilizes copper(I) and prevents formation of explosive acetylides. The ionic liquid's unique solvation properties and coordination chemistry create a controlled environment where copper(I) can selectively complex with acetylenes for removal without forming unstable, explosive compounds
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 significantly improves the selective removal rate of acetylenic compounds, maintains capacity over time, and reduces the risk of explosion, with low loss rates and easy regenerability, compared to existing adsorption and membrane separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
removal of acetylenic compounds from olefin by using pyrrolidinium-based or piperidinium-based ionic liquid mixtures comprising copper (I) halide
Implementation Method 2
stabilizes copper (I) and selectively removes acetylenic compounds through absorption or extraction processes, preventing oxidation and acetylide formation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of purifying olefin, the method comprising removing a small amount of acetylenic compounds contained in olefin by using pyrrolidinium-based or piperidinium-based ionic liquid mixtures comprising copper (I) halide. According to the method of the present invention, copper (I) halide is stabilized by pyrrolidinium-based or piperidinium-based ionic liquids, suppressing the oxidation of Cu(I) into Cu(II), whereby the capacity of removing acetylenic compounds can be maintained for a long time and the selective removal rate of acetylenic compounds to olefin can be significantly improved. In addition, since the ionic liquid mixtures comprising copper (I) halide used in the method of the present invention can be applied to both absorption and extraction processes, it can effectively remove acetylenic compounds from olefin in a more simple and economical way compared to the existing adsorption and membrane separation processes.