Olefin Purification Adsorbent Cogranulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adsorbing organic contaminants with heteroatoms in olefinic feedstocks, which are predominantly hydrocarbons, are inefficient due to limitations in adsorbent preparation and activation processes, particularly in capturing specific contaminants like nitriles, pyrrole, and mercaptans.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the cogranulation of faujasite-type zeolite powder with alumina, followed by steam treatment, drying, and optional calcination, to create an adsorbent with a specific surface area of 300-900 m²/g, which effectively captures organic contaminants by shaping the adsorbent into co-granules for dynamic adsorption under controlled conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional adsorbent preparation methods (aqueous solution mixing, gel formation, crystallization) are used, then adsorbent structure is formed, but manufacturing complexity increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming zeolite and alumina powders with controlled pore structures before cogranulation. This allows the adsorbent components to be prepared in advance with optimized properties, then simply mixed and shaped without complex in-situ formation processes during adsorbent manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by controlling the pore size distribution and surface area of zeolite and alumina powders through specific synthesis conditions. By adjusting particle size, pore volume, and surface characteristics of the component powders, the final cogranule adsorbent achieves optimized performance with simplified manufacturing.
2Quantity of substance
If adsorbent surface area is increased to improve contaminant capture, then adsorption capacity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining zeolite powder and alumina powder in specific ratios (30-70 wt% zeolite, 70-30 wt% alumina) to create cogranules. This composite approach allows the synergistic combination of high surface area zeolite with structurally stable alumina, achieving high adsorption capacity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard granulation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials by selecting zeolite and alumina powders with controlled pore volumes (0.3-0.6 mL/g) and specific surface areas. The porous structure of both components contributes to high adsorption capacity while their powder forms allow easy handling and granulation, balancing performance with manufacturing precision requirements.
3Reliability
If steam treatment temperature and duration are increased to activate adsorbent, then adsorption performance improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes steam treatment parameters by conducting treatment at moderate temperatures (100-200°C) for controlled durations (1-6 hours). This parameter optimization achieves effective adsorbent activation through moisture removal and surface conditioning while minimizing energy consumption compared to high-temperature calcination methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary steam treatment before final adsorbent use to remove residual moisture and activate surface sites. This preliminary activation step prepares the adsorbent for optimal performance without requiring excessive energy input during subsequent operation, as the activation is completed during the manufacturing process.
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 process significantly enhances the adsorption capacity of organic contaminants such as aniline, dimethylformamide, and acetonitrile, demonstrating improved mass recovery compared to traditional methods, as shown in adsorption experiments.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to a process for adsorption of organic contaminants comprising at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
an adsorbent with a specific surface area of 300-900 m²/g
Implementation Method 3
B) a step B of treatment under steam of the adsorbent obtained at the end of step A at a temperature between 60 and 120°C
Implementation Method 4
C) a step C of drying the adsorbent obtained at the end of the step B at a temperature between 100 and 300°C
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for preparing an adsorbent, comprising the following successive steps: cogranulation-based forming of a faujasite-type zeolite powder A together with an alumina powder B, the powder mixture containing between 10 and 70 wt.-% powder A; steam treatment; and drying. The invention also relates to a method for adsorption of organic contaminants containing at least one heteroatom and present in an olefin feed containing at least 50 vol.-% hydrocarbons, said method including a step in which the olefin feed is brought into contact with the adsorbent obtained using the above preparation method.