Continuous Methionine Crystallization via Gas-Liquid Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methionine crystal production methods face issues with foaming during neutralization, resulting in low bulk density crystals and increased energy consumption due to the use of additives and recrystallization processes.
Innovation Solution
A continuous method using a DTB neutralization crystallizer with a gas phase neutralization section, where the hydrolyzate solution containing potassium methionine is mixed with an external circulation material and sprayed into a gas-liquid contact area for neutralization with carbon dioxide, controlling oversaturation to produce high bulk density methionine crystals without foaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If gaseous carbon dioxide is used for acidifying crystallization, then the production process becomes cleaner with recyclable by-products, but serious foaming occurs resulting in excessive crystal nuclei and very fine crystals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a foam control agent as an intermediary substance to mediate between the carbon dioxide acidification process and the crystallization process. This agent suppresses foaming while allowing the beneficial clean production aspects to continue, preventing excessive crystal nuclei formation without compromising the recyclable by-product advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies process parameters including carbon dioxide addition rate, temperature control, and pH control to prevent serious foaming. By carefully controlling these parameters, the process achieves both clean production with recyclable by-products and controlled crystal size without excessive nucleation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If defoamer is added to the aqueous solution to avoid foaming, then foaming is controlled, but the obtained crystals are porous spherical crystals requiring large amounts of water for washing, increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a foam control agent that can be easily removed or decomposed, avoiding the need for extensive washing operations. The agent is selected to be effective at low concentrations and does not require large amounts of water for removal, thus reducing energy consumption compared to conventional defoamers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes process parameters such as temperature, pH, and carbon dioxide addition rate to control foaming inherently, reducing or eliminating the need for chemical defoamers and their associated washing and energy requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If heating the hydrolysate solution is performed to decompose methionine polymer, then crystal form is controlled, but energy consumption increases and production capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary treatment of the hydrolysate solution to control polymer content before the acidification and crystallization steps. This preliminary action prevents excessive foaming and controls crystal form without requiring extensive heating during the main production process, thus reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses milder heating conditions or alternative methods to control methionine polymer decomposition, optimizing the balance between crystal form control and energy consumption. Process parameters are carefully adjusted to achieve the desired crystal form with minimal energy input
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
The method achieves stable and efficient production of methionine crystals with bulk densities above 800 kg/m3, eliminating foaming issues and reducing energy consumption, making it suitable for industrial production.
Implementation Method 1
mixed with an external circulation material and sprayed into a gas-liquid contact area for neutralization with carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
controlling oversaturation to produce high bulk density methionine crystals
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for continuous preparation of high bulk density methionine crystals. The process of the method is as follows: a hydrolysate solution, which is obtained from a reaction of 5-(β-methylmercaptoethyl) hydantoin and a potassium carbonate solution, is mixed with an external circulation material from a DTB neutralization crystallizer having a gas phase neutralization section; after being cooled, the mixture enters a liquid distributor of a neutralization region in the upper part of the crystallizer and is sprayed in the form of liquid droplet or trickle into carbon dioxide gas for neutralization reaction, and then naturally falls into a crystallization region in the lower part to be mixed with a material in the region; the obtained mixture grows on fine crystals in a system to form crystals having larger particle diameters, and meanwhile new crystal nucleuses are formed; in a deposition area in the middle part of the crystallization region, the crystals having larger particle diameters deposits into an elutriation leg, while the fine crystals circulate with the external circulation material, and a part of the external circulation material is used to elutriate the crystals in the elutriation leg, while another part of the same is used to be mixed with the hydrolysate solution; and the crystals in the elutriation leg are separated, washed and dried to obtain the high bulk density methionine product.