Ionic Liquid Viscosity Modifiers for Mass Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
High viscosity of ionic liquids in catalytic, solvent, or adsorbent processes leads to mass transfer limitations, requiring high shear mixing which complicates droplet separation, especially in processes like motor fuel alkylation, alkane disproportionation, and gas separation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a viscosity modifier into the ionic liquid to reduce its viscosity by at least 10%, thereby enhancing diffusivity and solubility of reactants, allowing for larger droplets and improved reaction rates without the need for mechanical methods like high shear mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high shear mixing is used to overcome mass transfer resistance in high viscosity ionic liquids, then mass transfer resistance is reduced, but droplet separation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of viscosity by adding viscosity modifiers (such as alcohols, amines, siloxanes, ethers, or halogenated hydrocarbons) to the ionic liquid. This reduces the viscosity of the ionic liquid phase, thereby improving mass transfer rates without requiring high shear mixing that would create difficult-to-separate small droplets.
2Productivity
If viscosity modifier is added to reduce ionic liquid viscosity, then mass transfer resistance decreases and reaction rate increases, but the composition of the ionic liquid changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces viscosity modifiers as intermediary substances that temporarily alter the physical properties of the ionic liquid to improve mass transfer. These modifiers (alcohols, amines, siloxanes, ethers, halogenated hydrocarbons) act as mediators that reduce viscosity without fundamentally changing the catalytic or functional properties of the ionic liquid system, allowing for maintained composition stability during the process.
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 reduces mass transfer resistance, increases reaction rates, and maintains selectivity, enabling the use of larger droplets with easier separation, and allows for operation at lower temperatures, reducing equipment requirements and maintaining process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
adding a viscosity modifier to the ionic liquid provides increased apparent reaction rates and/or improved selectivities... the viscosity modifiers are targeted to decrease the viscosity of the ionic liquid, and therefore increase the diffusivity of the reactants in the ionic liquid
Implementation Method 2
increase the diffusivity of the reactants in the ionic liquid... improved mass transfer resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A process utilizing an ionic liquid is described. The process includes contacting a hydrocarbon feed with an ionic liquid component, the ionic liquid component comprising a mixture of a first ionic liquid and a viscosity modifier, wherein a viscosity of the ionic liquid component is at least about 10% less than a viscosity of the first ionic liquid.