Mixed-Compound Separation Plant for Methanol and DMS Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating mixed compounds from wood or pulp material decomposition/conversion processes lack flexibility and efficiency in producing multiple bio-based products, focusing primarily on purifying methanol while neglecting other valuable compounds like dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and acetone.
Innovation Solution
A method and process plant that includes multiple treatment units to separate and purify methanol and other compounds like DMS and acetone, allowing for flexible production based on demand, using primary and auxiliary separation units and recirculation to optimize product output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing methods focus primarily on purifying methanol from mixed compounds, then methanol purity is improved, but the production flexibility and efficiency of multiple bio-based products (such as DMS and acetone) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment process into multiple independent treatment units, each capable of separating specific compounds from the mixed compound stream. This segmentation allows the system to produce different products (methanol, DMS, acetone) by selectively operating different treatment units or adjusting their parameters, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high methanol purity and maintaining production flexibility for multiple products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of treatment unit parameters (such as temperature, pressure, and flow rates) to optimize product output based on demand. By making the system parameters adjustable and responsive to production requirements, the system can shift between producing different bio-based products, thus maintaining both high purity standards and production flexibility.
2Device complexity
If a single treatment unit is used to separate methanol from other compounds, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and resource efficiency of producing multiple products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs treatment units that can handle multiple separation tasks and process different compound types. Each treatment unit is configured to separate specific compounds based on their properties, allowing the same type of unit to be used for different separation objectives by adjusting operational parameters. This multi-functionality increases productivity for multiple products without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where compounds separated from methanol are not discarded but are instead directed to auxiliary separation units for further processing into valuable products like DMS and acetone. This recovery approach transforms waste streams into additional product flows, significantly enhancing overall productivity and resource efficiency without requiring a proportional increase in primary treatment units.
3Ease of manufacture
If compounds separated from methanol are discarded, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the loss of valuable compounds (DMS, acetone) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces auxiliary separation units that act as intermediaries between the primary treatment units and the final product streams. These auxiliary units receive compound streams separated from methanol and further process them to recover valuable compounds like DMS and acetone. This intermediary approach maintains process simplicity by adding modular units rather than complicating the core separation process, while simultaneously preventing loss of valuable substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a self-service system where the treatment process automatically directs separated compounds to appropriate auxiliary units for recovery and purification. The system uses internal flows and recirculation to ensure that valuable compounds are captured and converted into sellable products without requiring external intervention or complex manual processing, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while maximizing substance recovery.
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
Enhances the flexibility and efficiency of producing multiple bio-based products, such as DMS and acetone, by optimizing production based on demand and utilizing additional compound flows within the process, thereby maximizing resource efficiency and product diversity.
Implementation Method 1
one or more treatment units comprises at least a first primary separation unit arranged to separate one or more compounds other than methanol from the stream
Implementation Method 2
feeding the compounds separated from methanol in the first primary separation unit to a first auxiliary separation unit so as to separate dimethyl sulphide from at least one of the other compounds separated from methanol in the first primary separation unit and thereby increase the purity of said dimethyl sulphide
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a method for treatment of a stream of mixed compounds (4a) obtained from a process (3) comprising decomposition and/or conversion of a wood or pulp material, the method comprising: feeding the stream (4a-4e) through a processing arrangement (2) comprising one or more treatment units (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) arranged to separate at least a first compound from other compounds in the stream and form a first product flow (4f) containing the first compound, wherein the one or more treatment units comprises at least a first primary separation unit (20) arranged to separate one or more compounds other than the first compound from the stream; and feeding the compounds separated from the first compound in the first primary separation unit (20) to a first auxiliary separation unit (21) so as to separate a second compound from at least one of the other compounds separated from the first compound in the first primary separation unit (20) and thereby increase the purity of said second compound and form a second product flow (22, 23) in the form of a purified second compound and/or a purified derivative of the second compound, wherein the second compound is dimethyl sulfide (DMS, CH3-S-CH3), methyl mercaptan (CH3-S-H) or acetone (CH3-CO-CH3).