Water-Soluble ODSO Acid Medium for DSO By-Product Valorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient and economical process to treat large volumes of disulfide oil (DSO) by-products and their derivatives to facilitate environmentally acceptable disposal and enhance their value in refining processes, as conventional acids are costly and pose handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
Utilize a water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil (ODSO) acid medium, which can be used as a replacement for conventional acids in various chemical, petrochemical, and petroleum refining processes, including the synthesis of mesoporous silica, SAPO, and AlPO materials, and as a catalyst in alkylation reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric acid) are used in chemical and petroleum refining processes, then the desired chemical reactions and process functions are achieved, but the cost increases and handling challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs organic acid compounds (carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids) as alternative acid sources to conventional mineral acids. These organic acids can be derived from renewable resources or industrial by-products, providing a cost-effective and easier-to-handle alternative that maintains process functionality while reducing handling challenges associated with conventional strong mineral acids
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter from inorganic mineral acids to organic acid compounds with different molecular structures and properties. This parameter change allows for improved handling characteristics while maintaining the necessary acid functionality for chemical reactions in petroleum refining and chemical processes
2Reliability
If conventional acids are used to achieve desired chemical reactions, then process effectiveness is maintained, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes organic acid compounds that can be derived from renewable resources or industrial by-products, replacing conventional mineral acids with environmentally friendlier alternatives that reduce environmental impact while maintaining process effectiveness through their acid-catalyzed reaction capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from inorganic acid parameters to organic acid parameters, changing the chemical nature of the acid medium to reduce environmental harm. This includes using acids with lower persistence in the environment and reduced ecological toxicity while maintaining sufficient acidity for process effectiveness
3Loss of substance
If large volumes of disulfide oil by-products are disposed of through conventional methods (adding to fuel oil pool or processing in hydrotreating units), then disposal is achieved, but the cost increases due to higher sulfur content or hydrogen consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful disulfide oil by-product into a beneficial acid medium. By oxidizing disulfide compounds to generate organic acids (carboxylic, sulfonic, phosphonic acids), the process transforms a waste stream requiring costly disposal into a valuable reagent that can be used in chemical reactions, thereby eliminating disposal costs and hydrogen consumption while maintaining process effectiveness
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 ODSO acid medium effectively modifies the properties of DSO by-products, enabling their utilization in refining processes, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing their value by providing a cost-effective alternative to conventional acids.
Implementation Method 1
Brønsted-Lowry acids are molecules that are capable of donating a proton to another substance
Implementation Method 2
The by-product DSO compounds from the mercaptan oxidation process can be oxidized, in the presence of a catalyst. The oxidation reaction products constitute an abundant source of ODSO compounds, sulfoxides, sulfonates, sulfinates and sulfones
Implementation Method 3
The by-product DSO compounds from the mercaptan oxidation process can be oxidized, in the presence of a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
An acid medium is provided comprising one or more water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil ODSO compounds, and uses thereof. The use of such an acid medium is disclosed as a replacement for conventional acids. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the use of an ODSO acid or ODSO acid mixture medium having one or more polar water-soluble ODSO compounds, including polar water-soluble ODSO compounds present in an effluent refinery hydrocarbon stream recovered following catalytic oxidation of mercaptans present in a petroleum feedstream.