Ionic Liquid Scrubbing Phase Recovery Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for recovering entrained ionic liquids in hydrocarbon conversion processes are inefficient and require the use of coalescing materials, which can become fouled and increase energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method involving contacting the immiscible phase containing entrained ionic liquid droplets with a scrubbing ionic liquid phase to transfer and separate the droplets, eliminating the need for coalescing materials and allowing for direct recovery of ionic liquids without fouling or increased energy expenditure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional liquid-liquid phase separation by gravity is used, then the separation process is simple, but small droplets of ionic liquid remain entrained in the immiscible phase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of separation processVSAvoidionic liquid entrainment in immiscible phase

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A scrubbing ionic liquid phase is introduced as an intermediary substance to transfer entrained ionic liquid droplets from the immiscible phase. The scrubbing phase acts as a mediator that selectively absorbs ionic liquid droplets through mass transfer, reducing entrainment in the hydrocarbon phase while maintaining simple gravity-based separation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If coalescing material is used to recover entrained ionic liquids, then ionic liquid droplets can be coalesced into larger droplets, but the coalescing material becomes fouled and requires maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery of entrained ionic liquidVSAvoidfouling of coalescing material

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The scrubbing ionic liquid phase performs self-regeneration through continuous circulation and phase separation. The system automatically transfers ionic liquid from the immiscible phase to the scrubbing phase, then separates and recycles the scrubbing phase back to the scrubbing zone, eliminating the need for manual cleaning or replacement of coalescing materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses liquid-phase mass transfer and hydrodynamic principles to transfer ionic liquid droplets from the immiscible phase to the scrubbing ionic liquid phase. This hydraulic approach replaces solid coalescing materials with a flowing liquid system that avoids fouling issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Loss of substance

If coalescing material is used for ionic liquid recovery, then droplet coalescence is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery of entrained ionic liquidVSAvoidenergy consumption in recovery process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The scrubbing process operates at constant pressure throughout the system, with the scrubbing ionic liquid phase and immiscible phase separated by a constant pressure barrier. This eliminates pressure fluctuations and reduces energy consumption compared to systems requiring pressure changes for droplet coalescence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 effectively reduces the level of ionic liquid droplets in the immiscible phase, enabling efficient recovery of ionic liquids without the need for coalescing materials, thus minimizing fouling and energy consumption while maintaining process efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

At least a portion of the droplets of ionic liquid are transferred to the scrubbing ionic liquid phase to form a recovered ionic liquid phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass transfer: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

the second immiscible phase is separated from the recovered ionic liquid phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity settling: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9328296B2Method for recovering entrained ionic liquid from an ionic liquid immiscible phase

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 UOP LLC

AI summary

A method for recovering entrained ionic liquid from an immiscible phase containing droplets of ionic liquid is described. The method includes contacting the immiscible phase containing the droplets of ionic liquid with a scrubbing ionic liquid phase in a scrubbing zone. The immiscible phase containing the droplets of ionic liquid has a first level of droplets of ionic liquid. At least a portion of the droplets of ionic liquid are transferred to the scrubbing ionic liquid phase to form a recovered ionic liquid phase comprising the scrubbing ionic liquid and the transferred portion of the droplets of ionic liquid and a second immiscible phase having a second level of droplets of ionic liquid lower than the first level. The second immiscible phase is separated from the recovered ionic liquid phase.