Olefin Production Cryogenic Separation with Explosion-Proof Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) process for producing olefins faces challenges in separating and managing gas mixtures containing unreacted paraffins, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, which can lead to unsafe concentrations and potential explosions due to enrichment of carbon monoxide and oxygen, necessitating additional separation steps and safety measures.
Innovation Solution
The process involves designing containers and lines in the low-temperature separation section to withstand bursting pressures at least ten times the operating pressure, incorporating explosion-proof designs, and using heat exchangers as explosion barriers to prevent damage and release of gas fractions, thereby avoiding explosions and reducing the need for additional safety measures like inerting agents or sharp separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If low-temperature separation is used to separate olefins from process gas, then separation efficiency is improved, but carbon monoxide and oxygen enrich to hazardous concentrations creating explosion risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies prior cushioning by designing containers and lines with burst pressures at least ten times the operating pressure before any explosion can occur. This preventive design ensures that even if hazardous gas mixtures form during separation, the equipment can withstand explosion forces without failing, thereby cushioning against the harmful effects before they propagate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful enrichment of carbon monoxide and oxygen into a benefit by using heat exchangers as explosion barriers. The heat exchangers are designed to contain and dissipate explosion energies, transforming the potential harm of enriched hazardous gases into a controlled event that protects the overall system.
2Reliability
If additional separation steps and safety measures are implemented to manage hazardous gas fractions, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing containers and lines that simultaneously serve as both process equipment and explosion protection barriers. The burst pressure design of at least ten times operating pressure allows these components to function normally during operation while also providing inherent explosion containment, eliminating the need for separate safety systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through inherent safety design where the process equipment itself provides explosion protection. By designing containers and lines with burst pressures at least ten times the operating pressure, the system protects itself without requiring external safety systems, inerting agents, or additional separation steps.
3Reliability
If inerting agents or sharp separation are used to prevent explosions, then safety is improved, but energy efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of hazardous gas mixtures into a beneficial design feature by using heat exchangers as explosion barriers. This approach eliminates the need for inerting agents that would consume energy and reduce process efficiency, while still providing robust explosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-protection through inherent burst pressure design, eliminating the need for energy-consuming inerting agents or additional separation steps. The containers and lines with burst pressures at least ten times operating pressure protect the system automatically without requiring external energy input or reducing process efficiency.
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 enhances safety by preventing explosions and detonations, reduces dilution, and increases overall yield and energy efficiency, leading to cost savings and improved process compactness.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchangers as explosion barriers to prevent damage and release of gas fractions
Implementation Method 2
low-temperature separation in which, at an operating pressure level, one or more gas fractions enriched in oxygen and carbon monoxide compared to the process gas are formed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing one or more olefins, wherein a reaction mixture is formed, containing one or more paraffins, and wherein a portion of the paraffin/s contained in the reaction mixture is converted into the olefin/s via oxidative dehydration with the formation of a process gas, wherein the process gas contains at least the olefin/s, the unreacted paraffin/s, oxygen and carbon monoxide, and wherein at least one portion of the process gas is subjected to a cryogenic separation, in which one or more gas fractions are formed, which are enriched with oxygen and carbon monoxide in relation to the process gas, at an operating pressure level. According to the invention, in the cryogenic separation, with the formation and/or for the conveying of the gas fractions, or at least one of the gas fractions, one or more containers and/or one or more lines are used having a bursting pressure corresponding to at least ten times the operating pressure level, and the container, or at least one of the containers, is connected to one or more heat exchangers via the lines, or at least one of the lines, wherein a total length of the line, or the at least one line, between the container, or the at least one container, and the heat exchanger/s is max. fifty times its internal diameter. The invention also relates to a corresponding system (100).