Oxide-Adsorbed CO2 Supply Agents for Efficient Alkylurea Synthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for utilizing carbon dioxide with alkylamine compounds suffer from low efficiency due to the need for high-pressure CO2 and significant vaporization of solvents, leading to decreased reaction efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide supply conversion agent using oxides such as titanium zirconium oxide, Mg-Al-based layered double hydroxides, or Ce(OH)4, adsorbs CO2 on their surfaces and reacts with alkylamine compounds in a pressurized and heated state to produce alkylurea compounds efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If CO2 is blown into amine from air (0.04% CO2 concentration), then CO2 supply is achieved, but large amount of air requires large solvent vaporization causing low reaction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 supply amountVSAvoidreaction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide catalyst pre-concentrates CO2 from air through adsorption before the reaction occurs. This preliminary concentration action transforms the low-concentration CO2 (0.04%) into a high-concentration state on the catalyst surface, enabling efficient reaction without requiring large amounts of air to be blown into the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The oxide catalyst acts as an intermediary between atmospheric CO2 and the amine reactant. It mediates the interaction by adsorbing CO2 from air and then facilitating its reaction with amine, thereby coupling the low-concentration CO2 source with the high-efficiency reaction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If high-pressure CO2 is used for synthesis, then reaction can proceed, but CO2 utilization efficiency decreases due to large excess CO2 requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 pressureVSAvoidCO2 utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the CO2 concentration parameter locally on the catalyst surface through adsorption. Instead of using high-pressure CO2 gas throughout the entire reaction system, the oxide catalyst creates a high-concentration microenvironment where CO2 is concentrated on its surface, enabling the reaction to proceed at lower overall pressures with high CO2 utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If large amount of air is blown into reaction system, then CO2 supply is sufficient, but solvent and amine vaporize at saturated vapor pressure causing efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 supply amountVSAvoidsolvent and amine vaporization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide catalyst performs preliminary CO2 concentration from air before the gases enter the reaction zone. This pre-concentration reduces the total volume of gas that needs to be processed, thereby minimizing the amount of solvent and amine that would otherwise vaporize due to the large volume of air required for CO2 supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enhances carbon dioxide utilization efficiency by adsorbing and supplying CO2 directly to the reaction, preventing solvent vaporization and increasing the production of useful compounds like ethylene urea and 2-piperazinone.

Implementation Method 1

a carbon dioxide supply conversion agent to be used for a reaction with an alkylamine compound, and the carbon dioxide supply conversion agent contains: an oxide; and carbon dioxide adsorbed on a surface of the oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4596533A1Carbon dioxide supply conversion agent and carbon dioxide utilization method
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 TOHOKU UNIV
  • EP4596533A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4596533A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4596533A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A carbon dioxide supply conversion agent of the present invention is a carbon dioxide supply conversion agent to be used for a reaction with an alkylamine compound. The carbon dioxide supply conversion agent contains: an oxide; and carbon dioxide adsorbed on a surface of the oxide.