Fluidization Enhancers for Molten-Layer Oxidative Dehydrogenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxidative dehydrogenation processes face challenges with insufficient fluidization of oxygen transfer agents at elevated temperatures, leading to reduced yields of desired olefin products.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluidization enhancing additive with inorganic materials into the reactor, maintaining sufficient fluidization of oxygen transfer agents at elevated temperatures by forming a molten layer on the surface of the oxygen transfer agent particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxygen transfer agents are used at elevated temperatures for oxidative dehydrogenation, then reaction rate and olefin production increase, but fluidization of the oxygen transfer agents becomes insufficient leading to reduced yields
Solution Approach 1:
An inorganic fluidization enhancing additive is introduced as an intermediary substance that forms a molten layer around oxygen transfer agent particles at reaction temperatures. This molten layer acts as a mediator that prevents particle agglomeration and maintains fluidization quality, allowing the reaction to proceed at elevated temperatures without losing fluidization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the fluidization enhancing additive changes from solid to molten as temperature increases to the reaction conditions. This parameter change (phase transition) is utilized to provide optimal fluidization enhancement at the specific reaction temperature range, where the molten layer forms on particle surfaces to prevent agglomeration while maintaining fluidization.
2Productivity
If temperature is increased to improve reaction kinetics, then olefin production increases, but oxygen transfer agents agglomerate and lose fluidization
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic additive serves as a protective intermediary that forms a molten coating on oxygen transfer agent particles at high temperatures. This coating prevents direct particle-to-particle contact and agglomeration, maintaining uniform particle distribution and fluidization stability even at elevated reaction temperatures that enhance reaction kinetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidization enhancing additive undergoes a phase transition from solid to molten state at the reaction temperature range. This phase transition is exploited to provide temperature-dependent fluidization enhancement, where the molten phase specifically addresses the agglomeration problem that occurs at elevated temperatures while allowing high reaction rates.
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 fluidization in the reactor, preventing agglomeration and maintaining optimal reaction conditions for improved olefin production, reducing CO2 and NOx emissions.
Implementation Method 1
During at least a portion of the time of the contacting of the hydrocarbon with the particulate material, a surface of at least a portion of the at least one oxygen transfer agent comprises a molten layer
Data Source
AI summary
A process for oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon to produce an olefin and water may include contacting, in a fluidized bed, the hydrocarbon with a particulate material, which may include at least one oxygen transfer agent (OTA) and at least one fluidization enhancing additive. During at least a portion of contacting the hydrocarbon with the particulate material, the fluidized bed may be at a temperature at or above a melting point of one or more materials of the oxygen transfer agent. Further, during at least a portion of contacting the hydrocarbon with the particulate material, a surface of at least a portion of the OTA may comprise a molten layer. The fluidization enhancing additive may not undergo reduction in the fluidized bed during contacting the hydrocarbon with the particulate material and may be present in an amount that maintains sufficient fluidization of the particulate material.