Plated Fluorination Reactor Lining for Low-Corrosion Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluorination processes in the gas phase with chromium-based catalysts face high corrosion rates in reactors, limiting their industrial scalability due to the use of expensive and corrosive materials like molybdenum/rhenium or tungsten/rhenium alloys, which are not economically viable.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a chromium-based catalyst in a reactor with a base layer of high iron content and an inner layer of nickel-rich material, plated together, reduces corrosion rates significantly, allowing for a reliable and cost-effective industrial-scale fluorination process by using explosion or hot rolling plating techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If molybdenum/rhenium or tungsten/rhenium alloys are used as reactor materials, then corrosion resistance is improved, but cost increases significantly making it economically unviable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite material structure by combining a base material layer with a corrosion-resistant alloy layer (containing molybdenum, nickel, and chromium). This layered composite approach provides the necessary corrosion resistance at the surface while using more economical materials in the bulk, resolving the contradiction between corrosion protection and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If plating technique is used to assemble materials, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but corrosion rate exceeds 10 mm/year making reactors incompatible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcorrosion rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the plating layer by specifying a corrosion-resistant alloy containing molybdenum (2-10%), nickel (70-95%), and chromium (1-10%). This compositional parameter optimization reduces the corrosion rate from exceeding 10 mm/year to below 1 mm/year, enabling the use of cost-effective plating techniques while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If materials are melted and assembled, then bonding strength is improved, but weaknesses appear at interfaces over time in acidic environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidinterface stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reactor material into distinct functional layers: a base material layer providing structural integrity and a separate corrosion-resistant alloy layer providing chemical protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, preventing interface weaknesses that occur when materials are melted together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 process achieves a corrosion rate of less than 1 mm/year, enabling the use of nickel-based alloys, which are more economically viable and durable, thus extending the lifespan of reactor components and maintaining process efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a step of contacting said hydrocarbon compound with a catalytic composition comprising a chromium-based catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

an inner layer made of a material M2, said base layer and said inner layer being arranged against each other by plating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlating: Electroplating

Data Source

PatentEP3634620B1Method for modifying fluorine distribution in a hydrocarbon compound
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 ARKEMA FRANCE SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for modifying fluorine distribution in a hydrocarbon compound, comprising a step of bringing said hydrocarbon compound into contact with a catalytic composition comprising a catalyst made from chromium, said method being carried out in a reactor made of a material comprising a base layer made of a material M1 and an inner layer made of a material M2, said base layer and said inner layer being plated together.