Porous Tray Catalyst Removal Carbonate Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing carbonates, such as ethyl methyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate, face challenges in efficiently removing catalysts used in the transesterification reaction, leading to issues like column plugging and fouling due to catalyst precipitation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reaction step, an adsorption step using an acidic aluminum-based adsorbent, an adsorbent removal step, and a product separation step to efficiently remove the catalyst from the reaction product stream, preventing catalyst precipitation and ensuring high-purity carbonate production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is used to remove the catalyst, then the catalyst can be removed from the reaction product, but the catalyst cannot be filtered when its size is smaller than the pore size of the filter or when alcohol dissolves the catalyst
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous tray as an intermediary component installed inside the distillation tower. This porous tray acts as a mediator between the reaction product stream and the distillation process, enabling catalyst removal through adsorption or physical retention on the porous surface, thereby solving the problem of catalyst passing through conventional filters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a porous tray made of porous material with specific pore structure. The porous structure provides large surface area for catalyst adsorption and retention while maintaining fluid flow, effectively capturing catalyst particles that are too small for conventional filters or dissolved in alcohol
2Productivity
If a distillation tower is used for the distilling process, then ethyl methyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate can be produced, but catalyst precipitation causes column plugging or fouling at the bottom of the distillation tower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent installs the porous tray inside the distillation tower before the distillation process begins. This preliminary action prepares the system to capture catalyst particles as they settle, preventing subsequent plugging and fouling issues during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The porous tray serves as an intermediary component between the reaction product stream and the distillation column. It intercepts and retains catalyst particles before they can reach the bottom of the tower and cause plugging, while allowing the carbonate products to pass through for distillation
3Device complexity
If the catalyst is not separately removed, then the production process is simpler, but defects occur in subsequent processes due to catalyst precipitation causing column plugging or fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the catalyst removal function with the existing distillation tower by installing the porous tray inside it. This combination eliminates the need for separate catalyst removal equipment while ensuring reliable operation of subsequent processes, thus maintaining process simplicity without sacrificing reliability
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 method effectively removes catalysts from the carbonate production process, preventing defects like column plugging and ensuring high-purity carbonate products, thereby enhancing process efficiency and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption step of adding an acidic adsorbent into the reaction product stream to induce adsorption of the catalyst and the adsorbent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing a carbonate. The method for producing a carbonate according to the present invention is capable of removing a catalyst applied in the preparation process with high efficiency, without damaging an adsorbent.