pH-Modified Water-Soluble Oxidized Disulfide Oil for Zeolite Synthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refineries face challenges in efficiently and economically disposing of large volumes of sulfur-containing by-products from the mercaptan oxidation process, specifically disulfide oil (DSO) compounds, which are environmentally hazardous and have limited uses due to their foul smell and high sulfur content.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to produce pH-modified water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil (WS-ODSO) compositions by combining WS-ODSO compounds with an alkaline agent, altering their pH to create a neutralized, deacidified, or basified aqueous liquid mixture, which can be used in zeolitic material synthesis and other applications, reducing waste and the need for separate reagents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If DSO compounds are disposed of by adding to fuel oil pool, then disposal is achieved, but sulfur content of the pool increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal of DSOVSAvoidsulfur content

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by oxidizing DSO compounds to transform their chemical properties. The oxidation process converts disulfide compounds into water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil compounds with different solubility and reactivity characteristics, enabling new disposal pathways that do not increase fuel oil sulfur content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful sulfur-containing DSO waste into a beneficial product by oxidizing it to create water-soluble compounds that can be used as reagents in zeolite synthesis. The waste material becomes a valuable chemical intermediate, eliminating disposal problems while creating useful products

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Loss of substance

If DSO compounds are processed in hydrotreating/hydrocracking unit, then DSO is treated, but hydrogen consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment of DSOVSAvoidhydrogen consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of DSO through oxidation rather than hydrogenation. By using oxidation to convert DSO to water-soluble oxidized products, the process avoids the high hydrogen consumption associated with hydrotreating and hydrocracking units while achieving effective DSO treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If pH-modified WS-ODSO compositions are used in synthesis processes, then value of DSO by-products is enhanced, but additional processing step is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutilization in synthesisVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the waste DSO into a valuable pH-modified reagent through oxidation and pH adjustment. The resulting composition enhances adaptability for synthesis applications by providing controlled pH conditions and water solubility, transforming a disposal problem into a versatile chemical resource

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The pH-modified WS-ODSO composition serves multiple functions: it acts as a pH regulator, a carbon source, and a sulfur source in synthesis processes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate reagents and simplifies overall process design despite the initial oxidation step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 pH-modified WS-ODSO compositions facilitate environmentally friendly disposal and enhance the value of DSO by-products, reducing water waste and the need for additional reagents, while enabling their utilization in synthesis processes, such as zeolite production.

Implementation Method 1

combining one or more water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil (WS-ODSO) compounds and an effective amount of an alkaline agent to produce a pH-modified WS-ODSO composition as an aqueous liquid mixture having a pH that is higher than a pH of the one or more WS-ODSO compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutralization:

Data Source

PatentUS11649405B1Methods of modifying pH of water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method of making a composition of matter is provided. The method includes pH-modifying, that is, deacidifying, neutralizing or basifying, one or more water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil (WS-ODSO) compounds or mixture of compounds. The WS-ODSO is combined with an effective amount of an alkaline agent. The process results in a pH-modified, that is, deacidified, neutralized or basified, WS-ODSO composition, for example which can be used as a component in synthesis of materials such as zeolitic material.