Phosgene Synthesizing Tower Catalyst Replacement Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for replacing catalysts in phosgene synthesizing towers are inefficient due to long purging times and high nitrogen gas consumption, which prolongs the catalyst replacement process and poses safety risks due to high phosgene concentrations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving nitrogen gas purging followed by ammonia gas purging, with optional pressure build-up using ammonia gas, to reduce phosgene concentration to 0.5 ppm or less, significantly reducing replacement time and nitrogen gas consumption while ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nitrogen gas is used to purge the phosgene synthesizing tower, then the phosgene concentration can be reduced, but the purging time is long and nitrogen gas consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosgene removal effectivenessVSAvoidpurging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Ammonia gas is introduced as an intermediary substance that reacts with phosgene to form stable compounds. This chemical reaction mechanism provides a more efficient removal pathway compared to physical purging with nitrogen gas, significantly reducing the time required to achieve safe phosgene concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the purging agent from inert nitrogen gas to reactive ammonia gas. This parameter change enables chemical reaction-based removal of phosgene rather than relying solely on dilution and displacement, thereby reducing purging time and improving removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If nitrogen gas is used to purge the phosgene synthesizing tower, then the phosgene concentration can be reduced, but nitrogen gas consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephosgene removal effectivenessVSAvoidnitrogen gas consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Ammonia gas serves as a reactive intermediary that chemically binds with phosgene molecules, converting them into stable ammonium chloride and urea compounds. This chemical transformation eliminates the need for large volumes of inert gas to dilute and displace phosgene, significantly reducing gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful phosgene gas into beneficial stable compounds through chemical reaction with ammonia. This transformation not only removes phosgene from the system but also utilizes the phosgene's reactivity to create harmless products, thereby eliminating the need for excessive purging gas.

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

3Productivity

If the catalyst is replaced without effective purging, then the replacement time is short, but phosgene concentration remains high posing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst replacement speedVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Ammonia gas acts as a reactive intermediary that rapidly converts adsorbed phosgene into stable compounds. This chemical reaction mechanism enables effective purging within a short duration, allowing catalyst replacement to proceed quickly while maintaining safety standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing from physical purging to chemical reaction-based purging, the patent achieves both speed and safety. The chemical reaction rapidly reduces phosgene concentration to safe levels, enabling quick catalyst replacement without compromising operational safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method effectively shortens the phosgene removal time, reduces nitrogen gas consumption, and enhances operational safety by using ammonia gas to react with phosgene adsorbed in activated carbon, ensuring a safer and more efficient catalyst replacement process.

Implementation Method 1

ammonia gas is introduced into the bottom of the phosgene synthesizing tower for purging... ammonia gas to react with phosgene adsorbed in activated carbon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Activated carbon has a relatively large saturate adsorption rate on phosgene... phosgene adsorbed in the activated carbon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3243563B1Method for replacement of phosgene synthesis column catalyst
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 WANHUA CHEM GRP CO LTD
  • EP3243563B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method of quickly desorbing phosgene from a catalyst in a phosgene synthesizing tower when the catalyst in the phosgene synthesizing tower is replaced. The method is carried out by first purging out easily-desorbed phosgene from the catalyst activated carbon in the phosgene synthesizing tower with nitrogen gas, then purging with ammonia gas, and the ammonia gas is reacted with the hardly-desorbed phosgene in the catalyst of the phosgene synthesizing tower. Then the phosgene synthesizing tower is rinsed with a water gun and then dried with hot gas. The phosgene content at an outlet of the phosgene synthesizing tower after purging is below 0.5 ppm, which can significantly save the time of the phosgene synthesizing tower for purging the phosgene, greatly reduce the amount of nitrogen gas consumed, and improve the safety of the process operation.