Phenolic By-Product Salt Removal via Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for decomposing phenolic by-products in phenol and bisphenol A production processes are inefficient in removing salts, leading to increased process energy and reduced recovery of active ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the mixing of bisphenol A and phenol by-products with a decomposition apparatus side discharge stream and process water, followed by phase separation and circulation, to minimize salt content and enhance the recovery of active ingredients like phenol and alpha-methyl styrene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional separation and decomposition methods are used for phenolic by-products, then by-products can be processed, but salt removal is inefficient and process energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs salt removal as a preliminary action before the decomposition process. By using a washing tower to wash the by-product stream with water before thermal decomposition, salts are removed in advance, preventing them from interfering with subsequent decomposition and reducing energy consumption during the decomposition process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the processing into distinct stages: separation, washing (salt removal), and decomposition. This segmentation allows each process to be optimized independently, with the washing tower specifically dedicated to salt removal before the by-products proceed to thermal decomposition in the decomposition tower.
2Productivity
If conventional decomposition processes are used, then by-products are decomposed, but active ingredient recovery is reduced due to salt interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes salts from the phenolic by-product stream using a washing tower before decomposition. This extraction of the harmful salt component prevents it from interfering with the decomposition process and protects the recovered active ingredients from salt contamination, thereby improving recovery quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is introduced as an intermediary substance in the washing tower to facilitate salt removal. The water washes the by-product stream, dissolving and separating salts from the organic by-products, which then proceed to decomposition free from salt interference.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separation steps are performed, then phenol and by-products are separated, but process complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the salt removal function with the existing separation process by introducing a washing tower between the separator and decomposition tower. This integration allows salt removal to occur within the existing process framework without requiring entirely separate systems, balancing purification needs with process simplicity.
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
Effectively removes salts from the by-products, reducing process energy consumption and improving the yield of high-value active ingredients during decomposition.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing apparatus discharge stream discharged from the mixing apparatus is injected into a phase separation apparatus and phase-separated into an organic phase stream and an aqueous phase stream
Implementation Method 2
the organic phase stream phase-separated in the above step and discharged is fed to a decomposition apparatus to be decomposed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for decomposing a phenolic by-product, the method including: a step S10 of injecting and mixing a bisphenol A by-product produced in a bisphenol A production process, a mixed by-product stream of phenol by-products produced in a phenol production process, a decomposition apparatus side discharge stream, and a process water stream in a mixing apparatus; a step S20 of injecting a mixing apparatus discharge stream discharged from the mixing apparatus into a phase separation apparatus and phase-separating the mixing apparatus discharge stream into an oil-phase stream and a liquid-phase stream; a step S30 of feeding the oil-phase stream, which is phase-separated in the step S20 and discharged from the phase separation apparatus, to a decomposition apparatus to decompose the oil-phase stream; and a step S40 of circulating the decomposition apparatus side discharge stream obtained by the decomposition in the step S30 to the mixing apparatus in the step S10.