Odorant Mixture for Combustible Gas Using Acrylates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern gaseous fuels, such as natural gas, propane, and butane, are odorless due to purification or origin, posing a risk of undetected leaks and explosions, as existing odorizing agents like alkyl sulphides and mercaptans release sulfur dioxide during combustion, and acrylate-based mixtures are prone to uncontrolled polymerization and logistical complexities.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising an alkyl acrylate and a polymerization inhibitor, like TEMPO, that is stable in the presence or absence of oxygen, eliminating sulfur dioxide emissions and simplifying storage and injection logistics by allowing single-tank storage and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If alkyl sulphides and mercaptans are used as odorizing agents, then strong odorant power is achieved, but sulfur dioxide emissions are generated during combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing sulfur-based compounds (alkyl sulphides and mercaptans) with non-sulfur-based compounds (acrylates and their derivatives). This substitution maintains the odorant function while eliminating sulfur dioxide emissions during combustion, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving strong odorant power and avoiding harmful sulfur emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses acrylate-based odorants that can be easily synthesized and are effective at low concentrations. These compounds provide sufficient odorant power without the environmental burden of sulfur compounds, allowing for a transition to a more sustainable odorizing agent that can be readily produced and deployed
2Object-generated harmful factors
If acrylate-based odorant mixtures are used, then sulfur dioxide emissions are eliminated, but uncontrolled polymerization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces nitroxide compounds (such as TEMPO - 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl) as intermediary substances that act as polymerization inhibitors. These nitroxide intermediaries stabilize the acrylate-based odorant mixture by preventing uncontrolled polymerization, while allowing the acrylates to maintain their odorant function. This resolves the contradiction by adding a stabilizing intermediary that eliminates the polymerization issue without compromising the elimination of sulfur emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite odorant system combining acrylate-based compounds (for odorant function and low sulfur emissions) with nitroxide compounds (for polymerization inhibition). This composite approach integrates two different chemical systems that complement each other: the acrylates provide the odorant power while the nitroxides provide stability, resolving the contradiction between eliminating sulfur emissions and maintaining composition stability
3Quantity of substance
If multiple components are used in odorant mixtures, then odorant performance is improved, but logistical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the odorant function (provided by acrylates) and the stability function (provided by nitroxides) into a single integrated odorizing composition. By combining these two components into one mixture that can be stored and injected together, the invention simplifies the logistics compared to handling multiple separate odorant components, while maintaining improved odorant performance through the synergistic combination of acrylate and nitroxide compounds
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 solution provides a strong odorant power comparable to sulfur-based agents without sulfur dioxide release, ensuring leak detection while simplifying logistics and enhancing safety, with the ability to store and inject under various gas atmospheres, reducing the risk of explosions and undetected leaks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compound of formula (II) inhibiting polymerization of the alkyl acrylate(s) (I) in the presence and/or absence of oxygen
Implementation Method 2
capable of triggering a sensation of alarm among people in the event of a leak
Data Source
AI summary
Mixture to be employed specifically as an agent for adding an odour to a gaseous combustible fuel such as natural gas, consisting of: at least one alkyl acrylate (I) of which the alkyl radicals contain from one to 12 carbon atoms; at least one compound of formula (II) in a quantity sufficient to inhibit the polymerisation of the alkyl acrylate or acrylates (I) in the presence and/or absence of oxygen.