Solution Polymerization Feed Vessel Absorber Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solution polymerization processes face challenges in effectively removing volatile components like hydrogen, inert gases, and volatile impurities while preventing the loss of volatile reactants such as ethylene or propylene, leading to process disturbances and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device and process that utilize a feed vessel with specific inlet configurations for fresh and recycle streams, including a top zone and bottom zone, a heat exchanger, and an absorber to separate and absorb volatile components, allowing for the removal of unwanted components while recycling valuable reactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If volatile components are removed by venting off, then volatile impurities and hydrogen are removed, but volatile reactants are lost
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid stream is introduced as an intermediary substance to selectively absorb volatile impurities and hydrogen from the recycle vapor stream. The liquid acts as a mediator that transfers harmful volatile components from the gas phase to the liquid phase through absorption, while allowing volatile reactants to be recovered and recycled back to the reactor.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the phase and composition parameters of the recycle stream by introducing a liquid absorber that selectively takes up certain volatile components (impurities and hydrogen) while leaving reactants in the vapor phase for recovery. This parameter change enables selective removal based on differential solubility and absorption characteristics.
2Productivity
If recycle streams are used, then material and energy are recycled, but volatile impurities accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid stream serves as an intermediary that periodically or continuously removes accumulated volatile impurities from the recycle stream without disrupting the overall recycling loop. This allows the system to maintain high productivity through recycling while preventing impurity buildup that would otherwise disturb process control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention selectively discards harmful volatile impurities and hydrogen through the liquid absorption process while recovering and recycling valuable reactants. This selective discarding and recovering approach maintains material efficiency while eliminating harmful accumulations.
3Reliability
If volatile components are removed to control concentration, then process control is improved, but reactant loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid absorber acts as a selective intermediary that removes only specific volatile components (impurities and hydrogen) based on their chemical properties, while allowing reactants to pass through for recovery. This selective action improves process control by removing harmful components without causing significant reactant loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of volatile impurities and hydrogen into a beneficial separation process. By using liquid absorption, the harmful volatiles are selectively removed and concentrated in the liquid phase, while the valuable reactants are recovered in the vapor phase, turning a potential problem into a useful separation mechanism.
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 volatile components like hydrogen and inert gases while recovering unreacted reactants, enhancing process control and efficiency by minimizing losses and maintaining optimal operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the at least one recycle vapour stream with the at least one recycle liquid stream yielding a contacted recycle liquid stream and a contacted recycled vapour stream, contacting the contacted recycle vapour stream with the at least one fresh liquid stream
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
A feeding device for preparing a feed stream for a solution polymerization, comprising a feed vessel, the feed vessel comprising a top zone and a bottom zone; a feed outlet for withdrawing the feed stream, wherein the feed outlet is positioned at the bottom zone; a waste outlet for withdrawing a waste vapour stream, wherein the waste outlet is positioned at the top zone; a first heat exchanger positioned below the top zone; an absorber positioned below the first heat exchanger; a first inlet for introducing a fresh liquid stream into or on top of the absorber, wherein the first inlet is positioned at the absorber; a second inlet for introducing a recycle liquid stream, wherein the second inlet is positioned below the first inlet; and a third inlet for introducing a recycle vapour stream, wherein the third inlet is positioned below the second inlet and above the feed outlet.