Selective Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Oxidative Desulfurization Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional processes for removing sulfoxides and sulfones from hydrocarbon mixtures often result in the co-extraction of valuable hydrocarbon components, leading to reduced product yield and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A selective liquid-liquid extraction process using a solvent formulation that targets sulfoxides and sulfones, minimizing co-extraction of non-oxidized products by optimizing solvent concentration and conditions such as temperature and pressure, allowing for the selective extraction of oxidized sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon mixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid-liquid extraction processes are used to remove sulfoxides and sulfones from hydrocarbon mixtures, then sulfur content is reduced, but valuable hydrocarbon components are co-extracted leading to reduced product yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a selective solvent formulation with specific chemical properties that creates different extraction affinities for sulfoxides/sulfones versus valuable hydrocarbons. The solvent is designed with particular polarity and chemical characteristics that locally target oxidized sulfur compounds while leaving unoxidized hydrocarbons unaffected, thus resolving the contradiction between effective sulfur removal and product yield preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing solvent concentration, temperature, and pressure conditions to achieve selective extraction. By carefully controlling these parameters, the process maximizes the extraction of sulfoxides and sulfones while minimizing the co-extraction of valuable hydrocarbon components, thereby maintaining high product yield alongside effective sulfur removal.
2Reliability
If oxidation is used to convert sulfur-containing compounds to sulfoxides and sulfones for extraction, then sulfur content is reduced, but the process complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing oxidation of sulfur-containing compounds to sulfoxides and sulfones before the extraction step. This preliminary conversion makes the sulfur compounds more amenable to selective extraction, as the oxidized forms have different solubility characteristics compared to the original sulfur compounds, thereby facilitating more effective and selective removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a selective solvent formulation as a mediator between the oxidation step and the final separation. This intermediary solvent selectively interacts with sulfoxides and sulfones, enabling their separation from the hydrocarbon mixture without requiring complex multi-step processing, thus reducing overall process complexity.
3Reliability
If existing hydroprocessing facilities are retrofitted to meet stricter sulfur specifications, then sulfur removal efficiency is improved, but operational requirements become more severe with higher temperature and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing severe high-temperature and high-pressure mechanical hydroprocessing conditions with a chemical oxidation-extraction system that operates under mild conditions. Instead of using mechanical hydrocracking and hydrotreating at extreme temperatures and pressures, the process uses chemical oxidation to convert sulfur compounds followed by selective extraction, achieving the same sulfur removal goal with much milder operational requirements.
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 effectively reduces sulfur content in hydrocarbon streams while minimizing the co-extraction of valuable hydrocarbons, thereby enhancing product yield and simplifying the extraction process by promoting the formation of sulfoxides over sulfones and using mild operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrocarbon stream containing soluble sulfoxides and/or sulfones are extracted from the hydrocarbon using a liquid-liquid extraction process
Implementation Method 2
Certain conventional approaches are based on oxidation of sulfur-containing compounds... During oxidation, the sulfur-containing compounds are converted to their corresponding sulfoxides, having one oxygen atom bonded to the sulfur heteroatom, and/or to sulfones, having two oxygen atoms bonded to the sulfur heteroatom
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides selective extraction of sulfoxides, or sulfoxides in combination with sulfones, from hydrocarbon mixtures containing these compounds. A significant advantage of the invention is that oxidation products resulting from oxidative desulfurization of hydrocarbon feedstocks are selectively extracted with minimum co-extraction of non-oxidized products such as valuable hydrocarbon fuel components.