Renewable Isododecane Purification via Oleum Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing isododecane compositions from renewable sources fail to meet high-quality standards for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries due to impurity levels, coloration, and unpleasant odors.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the treatment of a composition containing renewable isododecane with Oleum, followed by separation, washing, and drying, which significantly reduces impurities and improves the odor and appearance of the final product.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional hydrogenation methods are used to prepare renewable isododecane compositions, then the production process is relatively simple, but the product contains impurities, unwanted coloration, and unpleasant odors that fail to meet high-quality standards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment process is divided into multiple sequential steps: (a) contacting with Oleum, (b) adding water and agitating, (c) separating phases, (d) removing aqueous phase, (e) adding alkaline washing solution, (f) removing washing solution, and (g) drying. Each step targets specific impurities systematically, transforming a complex purification challenge into manageable discrete operations that achieve high product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Oleum serves as an intermediary substance that facilitates the removal of unwanted impurities. The Oleum temporarily binds with oxidizable compounds, colored substances, and odor-causing components, allowing their subsequent easy removal through phase separation and washing, thereby achieving purification without direct complex processing of the isododecane itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the content of renewable isododecane is increased to at least 80% in the composition, then the renewable content and product quality improve, but the treatment process requires more extensive purification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenewable isododecane contentVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The Oleum treatment is applied early in the process to prevent impurity formation and facilitate their removal before they become embedded in the final product. By performing oxidation and sulfonation reactions first, then removing the resulting compounds through phase separation and washing, the process efficiently handles high concentrations of renewable isododecane without compromising productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The process utilizes changes in chemical parameters (oxidation state, solubility) and physical parameters (phase separation, density differences) to efficiently separate impurities from high-concentration renewable isododecane. The alkaline washing solution further modifies pH parameters to neutralize and remove acidic impurities, maintaining both high renewable content and processing efficiency

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

The process produces high-quality isododecane compositions with reduced impurities and a pleasant odor, meeting the requirements of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, and is more effective than conventional hydrogenation methods.

Implementation Method 1

Treating (or contacting) the first composition with Oleum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

aqueous phase containing oxidized and/or sulfonized compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSulfonation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Allowing the aqueous phase containing oxidized and/or sulfonized compounds and the non-aqueous phase containing renewable isododecane to separate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 4

Adding an alkaline aqueous washing solution to the non-aqueous phase containing the renewable isododecane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeutralization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 5

optionally drying the non-aqueous phase containing the renewable isododecane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20240417348A1Process for treating a composition containing renewable isododecane
Publication Date: 2024.12.19 HALTERMANN CARLESS DEUT GMBH

AI summary

The present invention concerns a process for treating a composition containing renewable isododecane, the process comprising inter alia treating a first composition with Oleum; adding water to the treated first composition and agitating the mixture; allowing the aqueous phase containing oxidized and/or sulfonized compounds and the non-aqueous phase containing renewable isododecane to separate; removing the aqueous phase containing oxidized and/or sulfonated compounds in order to obtain the non-aqueous phase containing the renewable isododecane; adding an alkaline aqueous washing solution to the non-aqueous phase containing the renewable isododecane; removing the aqueous washing solution and optionally drying the non-aqueous phase containing the renewable isododecane in order to obtain a second composition containing renewable isododecane. The invention further concerns a composition obtainable by this process and its use, in particular in a cosmetic product of application.