Liquid-Phase Hydroisomerization Reducing Hydrogen System Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydroisomerization processes for improving cold flow properties of hydrocarbon streams require large amounts of hydrogen, leading to complex and costly systems with excess hydrogen not consumed in the reaction, necessitating high-pressure compressors and additional separation steps.
Innovation Solution
A substantially liquid-phase hydroisomerization process where hydrogen is admixed with the hydrocarbon feed stream to maintain a constant reaction rate and saturation level, reducing the need for high-pressure hydrogen recycling and minimizing system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a three-phase system with continuous gas phase is used to maintain hydrogen supply, then hydrogen availability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to high-pressure compressors and large hydrogen quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the reaction system from three-phase (gas/liquid/solid) to two-phase (liquid/solid), operating in liquid-phase mode. This parameter change eliminates the need for continuous gas phase hydrogen supply and high-pressure compressors, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adequate hydrogen availability through dissolved hydrogen in the liquid phase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by operating the hydroisomerization reaction in liquid-phase conditions rather than gas-phase conditions. By maintaining hydrogen in dissolved form within the liquid hydrocarbon phase, the system avoids the complexity of gas phase handling, high-pressure compression, and gas-liquid separation equipment
2Quantity of substance
If large amounts of hydrogen are supplied to maintain continuous gas phase, then hydrogen availability is improved, but excess hydrogen requires separation and recycling equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by supplying hydrogen in the exact amount needed for the reaction rather than excessive amounts. By operating in liquid-phase mode with controlled hydrogen dissolution, the system provides sufficient hydrogen for isomerization without creating excess hydrogen that would require separation and recycling equipment
3Stress or pressure
If high-pressure compressors are used to recycle hydrogen, then hydrogen supply pressure is improved, but operational cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for high-pressure compressors by transitioning to liquid-phase operation where hydrogen is supplied as dissolved gas in the liquid hydrocarbon stream. This phase transition approach maintains adequate hydrogen partial pressure for the reaction without requiring mechanical compression, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption
4Productivity
If conventional three-phase hydroisomerization is used, then n-paraffin conversion to iso-paraffin is achieved, but cold flow properties improvement is offset by process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters from conventional three-phase gas/liquid/solid system to a simplified two-phase liquid/solid system. This parameter change maintains effective n-paraffin conversion to iso-paraffin for improved cold flow properties while eliminating the complexity associated with gas phase management, high-pressure compression, and hydrogen recycling infrastructure
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 cloud point, pour point, and cold filter plugging point values of hydrocarbon streams while minimizing hydrogen usage, allowing for smaller, less complex reactors and eliminating the need for costly high-pressure compressors.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogen is admixed with the hydrocarbon feed stream to maintain a constant reaction rate and saturation level
Implementation Method 2
a substantially liquid-phase continuous hydroisomerization zone to isomerize the hydrocarbon feed stream with a substantial n-paraffin content
Data Source
AI summary
A process is provided for improving the cold flow properties of a hydrocarbon stream employing a substantially liquid-phase continuous hydroisomerization zone where the reaction zone has a substantially constant level of dissolved hydrogen throughout without the addition of additional hydrogen external to the reaction zone.