Low-Boiling Separation Column Residue Return Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Purification of (meth)acrylic acid by distillation is hindered by the formation of polymers, which can destabilize production facilities, despite measures like temperature control and polymerization inhibitors, as glyoxal by-products contribute to polymer formation in distillation columns.

Innovation Solution

By strategically returning refining residues containing glyoxal to the low-boiling separation column closer to the bottom side than the supply and outlet ports, the generation of (meth)acrylic acid polymers is suppressed, stabilizing the column operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If distillation is used to purify (meth)acrylic acid, then purification efficiency is improved, but polymer formation occurs which destabilizes production facilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification efficiencyVSAvoidproduction facility stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful glyoxal by-product is extracted and removed from the distillation system by returning the refining residue to a position closer to the bottom side of the distillation column, preventing glyoxal from reaching the upper sections where it would catalyze polymer formation, thus maintaining both purification efficiency and facility stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The refining residue containing glyoxal, which would normally be discarded as waste, is strategically returned to the distillation column at a specific position. This converts the harmful glyoxal into a beneficial by-product removal mechanism, as the glyoxal is effectively separated and removed from the main product stream while preventing polymer formation in the upper column sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If temperature control and polymerization inhibitors are added to minimize polymer formation, then polymer generation is reduced, but polymer still forms in the distillation column due to glyoxal by-products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymer formationVSAvoiddistillation column operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The distillation column itself acts as an intermediary system where the refining residue is introduced at a specific position. This intermediary approach allows glyoxal to be separated and removed in the lower sections of the column, preventing it from acting as a polymerization catalyst in the upper sections, thereby supplementing the effectiveness of temperature control and polymerization inhibitors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If refining residue containing glyoxal is returned to increase overall yield, then production efficiency is improved, but polymer formation is triggered in the distillation column

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall production yieldVSAvoidpolymer generation from glyoxal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The returning position of the refining residue is locally optimized to be closer to the bottom side of the distillation column. This local quality change ensures that glyoxal-containing residue is processed in a specific zone where it can be effectively separated without triggering polymer formation, thereby maintaining both high production yield and column stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 polymer formation in the distillation column, ensuring stable operation and increased yield of (meth)acrylic acid by converting glyoxal compounds into less problematic forms, thereby maintaining column stability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a step of obtaining a (meth)acrylic acid-containing gas by subjecting a (meth)acrylic acid production raw material to a catalytic gas phase oxidation reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalytic oxidation: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

catalytic gas phase oxidation reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation reaction: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

a step of obtaining crude (meth)acrylic acid by introducing the (meth)acrylic acid-containing liquid into a low-boiling separation column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 4

a returning position of the refining residue to the low-boiling separation column is located closer to a bottom side of the low-boiling separation column than a supply port of the (meth)acrylic acid-containing liquid and an outlet port at a middle part of the low-boiling separation column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFractional distillation separation: Distillation

Data Source

PatentEP3632890B1Method for producing (METH)acrylic acid
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO LTD
  • EP3632890B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632890B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3632890B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for producing (meth)acrylic acid comprising: a step of obtaining a (meth)acrylic acid-containing gas by subjecting a (meth)acrylic acid production raw material to a catalytic gas phase oxidation reaction; a step of obtaining a (meth)acrylic acid-containing liquid by bringing the (meth)acrylic acid-containing gas into contact with a collection solvent and/or condensing the (meth)acrylic acid-containing gas by cooling; a step of obtaining crude (meth)acrylic acid by introducing the (meth)acrylic acid-containing liquid into a low-boiling separation column; a step of obtaining purified (meth)acrylic acid and a refining residue containing a glyoxal compound by purifying the crude (meth)acrylic acid; and a step of returning at least a part of the refining residue to the low-boiling separation column; wherein a returning position of the refining residue to the low-boiling separation column is located closer to a bottom side of the low-boiling separation column than a supply port of the (meth)acrylic acid-containing liquid.