Oxygen Removal System for Oxidative Dehydrogenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for oxidative dehydrogenation processes, such as ethane dehydrogenation, fail to effectively reduce oxygen content in product streams, leading to handling and recovery issues due to the presence of oxygen impurities like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an oxygen removal system that includes an oxygen removal reactor with catalysts like Mn-based catalysts and an absorber unit with oxygen absorbents like molecular sieves, which reduces oxygen content through a two-step process of heating and cooling the product stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional oxidative dehydrogenation process is used, then ethylene production is achieved, but oxygen impurities remain in the product stream causing handling and recovery problems
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen removal process is segmented into two distinct stages: (1) catalytic oxygen removal in a reactor containing metal-based catalysts (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, or their oxides) operating at elevated temperatures, and (2) adsorptive oxygen removal in a separate absorber unit containing molecular sieves or activated alumina. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, achieving comprehensive oxygen removal while maintaining ethylene production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces oxygen removal catalysts and absorbents as intermediary substances that selectively interact with oxygen impurities. The catalysts promote oxygen consumption reactions, while the absorbents physically adsorb remaining oxygen, thereby mediating the removal of harmful oxygen without affecting the ethylene product.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If oxygen removal catalysts and absorbents are introduced, then oxygen content is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials including molecular sieves and activated alumina in the absorber unit. These materials provide high surface area for oxygen adsorption within a compact structure, effectively reducing oxygen content while maintaining a space-efficient design that minimizes overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes parameter changes, specifically temperature variation, to control oxygen removal. The catalytic stage operates at elevated temperatures to promote oxygen consumption, while the adsorptive stage operates at lower temperatures to optimize oxygen adsorption. This parameter modulation enables efficient oxygen removal through different mechanisms without requiring overly complex system design.
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 system achieves significant oxygen reduction, with up to 99.53% oxygen removal efficiency, improving the handling and recovery of ethylene and other hydrocarbons by minimizing oxygen impurities in the product stream.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the product stream of the oxidative dehydrogenation process with at least one oxygen removal catalyst in at least one oxygen removal reactor
Implementation Method 2
contacting the first effluent stream with at least one oxygen absorbent in at least one absorber unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for removing oxygen from at least one product stream of a hydrocarbon oxidative dehydrogenation process. More specifically, in some embodiments, the oxidative dehydrogenation process is an ethane oxidative dehydrogenation process for producing ethylene, or a mixed alkane oxidative dehydrogenation process for producing ethylene and propylene, among other components.