Polyetheramine Co-Preparation Using High-Melting Polyol Mixtures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial processes for producing polyetheramines struggle with high energy consumption and capital investment due to the exclusion of high melting point initiator alcohols, which have desirable features like a rigid backbone and high functionality, necessitating a process that can handle these alcohols without major facility modifications.

Innovation Solution

A process is developed for co-preparing polyetheramine and alkylene amine mixtures by mixing alkoxylated alcohol with high melting polyols, using the alkoxylated alcohol as a solvent and co-reactant, allowing for a single-stage reductive amination process that reduces by-products and avoids the need for additional solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If high melting point initiator alcohols are used, then the product has desirable features like rigid backbone and high functionality, but the process requires major facility modifications and has high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct functionalityVSAvoidfacility modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a low melting point polyol as an intermediary substance that forms a eutectic mixture with the high melting point initiator alcohol. This eutectic mixture has a lowered melting point that allows the high melting point alcohol to be processed in existing facilities without modification, while still preserving the desirable rigid backbone and high functionality characteristics of the high melting point initiator alcohol in the final product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If high melting point initiator alcohols are used, then the product has desirable features like rigid backbone and high functionality, but the process has high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct functionalityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The low melting point polyol acts as a thermal mediator that enables the high melting point initiator alcohol to undergo reductive amination at lower temperatures. By forming a eutectic mixture with lowered melting point, the process reduces the thermal energy input required compared to processing the high melting point alcohol alone, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining the high functionality product characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If traditional amination process is used, then polyetheramine is produced, but undesired by-products are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolyetheramine productionVSAvoidby-product production

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a low melting point polyol with specific chemical characteristics that create a favorable reaction environment. The eutectic mixture formed with the high melting point initiator alcohol provides localized chemical conditions that promote the desired reductive amination reaction while suppressing side reactions that generate by-products, thus improving product purity without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 significantly reduces the production of undesired by-products and energy consumption, enabling the use of high melting point initiator alcohols while maintaining process efficiency and producing a versatile amine mixture for applications like epoxy resin curing and polyurea synthesis.

Implementation Method 1

The processes utilize an alkoxylated alcohol as a solvent for and co-reactant with a high melting polyol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

subjecting the precursor polyols to reductive amination at high temperatures and pressures to produce the polyetheramines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReductive amination: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3402776B1Co-preparation of polyetheramines and alkylene amines

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUNTSMAN PETROCHEMICAL LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a process for the co-preparation of a polyetheramine and an alkylene amine mixture by aminating a liquid polyol initiator mixture comprising an alkoxylated alcohol and a solid high melting polyol. The polyetheramine and alkylene amine mixture may be used in a variety of applications, such as a curing agent for epoxy resin formulations or as a raw material in the synthesis of polyurea.