Methionine Salt Production via Reactive Rectification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing methionine salt result in significant by-product formation and energy inefficiencies, particularly due to the formation of methionine dipeptide and disruption of alkaline potassium cycles, leading to yield losses and high energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A reactive rectification column system is employed for the continuous production of methionine salt, featuring a sieve tray column with optimized tray design and operation conditions, including specific weir heights, gas flow ratios, and the use of zirconium materials, which minimizes by-product formation and maintains efficient ammonia and carbon dioxide recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional circulating alkaline potassium salts are used for hydrolysis, then the hydrolysis reaction can proceed, but by-products form neutral potassium salts that disrupt the alkaline potassium cycle and cause yield losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic by-product 4-methylmercapto-2-hydroxybutanoic acid from the alkaline potassium circulation solution using a distillation column. This separation prevents the by-product from disrupting the potassium cycle while maintaining the hydrolysis reaction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the harmful by-product through distillation removal while recovering and recycling the alkaline potassium solution back into the hydrolysis process. This maintains the potassium cycle integrity and prevents material losses.
2Loss of substance
If methionine dipeptide forms as a by-product, then it requires additional process steps for removal, but increasing residence time to reduce dipeptide formation increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous alkaline hydrolysis in a flow reactor with optimized residence time (10-60 minutes), maintaining continuous removal of methionine dipeptide through the alkaline environment. This continuous action prevents dipeptide accumulation without requiring additional batch processing steps, thus reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the residence time parameter in the flow reactor to 10-60 minutes, which is sufficient to minimize dipeptide formation while avoiding excessive energy consumption. The alkaline pH parameter is maintained to continuously hydrolyze any dipeptide formed.
3Quantity of substance
If ammonia is removed from process solution by normal distillation, then ammonia depletion is achieved, but the removed ammonia is no longer available for hydantoin synthesis and solution becomes heavily diluted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ammonia depletion into a benefit by using the distillation column to selectively remove and separate ammonia from the process solution. The separated ammonia can then be recovered and reused in hydantoin synthesis, while the concentrated solution maintains optimal processing conditions.
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 significantly reduces by-product formation, minimizes energy consumption, and maintains a stable ammonia cycle, resulting in higher methionine yield and reduced raw material losses, while avoiding the need for external ammonia metering and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
alkaline hydrolysis of 5-(2-methylmercapto)-hydantoin in a column
Implementation Method 2
The gaseous components (water vapor, ammonia and carbon dioxide) can be discharged at the top of the column
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a methionine salt, in particular for producing a methionine salt starting from the precursors 3-methylmercaptopropionaldehyde (MMP) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or starting from at least one component that can be produced from said raw materials, such as methylmercaptopropionaldehyde cyanhydrin (MMP-CN). In particular, the invention relates to the alkaline hydrolysis of 5-(2-methylmercapto)hydantoine in a column. The invention further relates to a reaction system that is suitable for said method and comprises a reactive distillation column, and to the use of the reaction system.