Multiphase Pump Premixing for Ethylene Oligomerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oligomerization processes in gas/liquid reactors face inefficiencies due to the phenomenon of 'piercing,' where ethylene bubbles rise to the gaseous headspace without conversion, leading to significant ethylene loss and increased costs from compressor usage for recycling ethylene.
Innovation Solution
Employing a multiphase pump for premixing the liquid and gaseous phases before introduction into the reactor, ensuring partial or total dissolution of ethylene, thereby reducing the risk of piercing and optimizing ethylene conversion by maintaining it in a predominantly liquid phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a recirculation loop with cooling exchangers is used to control temperature and improve homogeneity, then temperature control and homogeneity are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the gas-liquid separation function from the main reaction loop by introducing a separate demister (separating element) in the gas outlet line. This allows the reactor to operate without complex recirculation loops while maintaining homogeneity through the demister's ability to separate and return liquid droplets to the reaction zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The demister acts as an intermediary device between the gas phase and liquid phase, capturing liquid droplets from the gas stream and returning them to the reactor. This intermediary component enables effective phase separation and homogeneity maintenance without requiring complex recirculation systems.
2Productivity
If the height of the bubble column or stirring intensity is increased to prevent piercing, then ethylene conversion is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the piercing prevention function from the stirring system by using a demister that passively captures and returns liquid droplets to the gas outlet, eliminating the need for high-intensity stirring or increased bubble column height while maintaining effective ethylene conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The demister enables the system to self-regulate phase distribution by automatically capturing and returning liquid droplets to the gas stream, maintaining optimal reaction conditions without requiring external intervention through complex stirring mechanisms.
3Productivity
If a compressor is used to compress recycled ethylene before reinjection, then ethylene recycling efficiency is improved, but investment cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure regulation function from the compressor by using a demister that passively manages phase separation and pressure distribution within the reactor system, eliminating the need for energy-intensive compression equipment while maintaining ethylene recycling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical compression system with a passive demister-based phase separation system that achieves pressure regulation and phase management through physical separation mechanisms rather than mechanical compression, significantly reducing energy consumption.
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 ethylene loss, enhances conversion efficiency, and decreases the need for large compressors, resulting in lower investment and operational costs while maintaining high reaction yields.
Implementation Method 1
compression and premixing between a liquid phase comprising the solvent and a gaseous phase comprising the gaseous olefin(s) by a multiphase pump (b), with partial or total dissolution of the olefin(s) of the gaseous phase in the liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the oligomerization of C2 to C4 olefin(s) in a gas/liquid or all-liquid oligomerization reactor (c) using a solvent, an oligomerization catalyst and olefin(s), in which compression and premixing are performed between a liquid phase comprising the solvent and a gaseous phase comprising said gaseous olefin(s) by a multiphase pump (b), with partial or total dissolution of the olefin(s) of the gaseous phase in the liquid phase and/or premixing between the two phases, before introduction of the premix obtained into said reactor.