Liquid SO2 Extraction of ASO from Spent Sulfuric Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for regenerating spent sulfuric acid are either economically unfeasible or environmentally unacceptable for small-scale operators, particularly due to high installation costs and increased emissions from incineration.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of sulfur dioxide to extract acid soluble oils (ASO) from spent sulfuric acid, where sulfur dioxide contacts the spent acid to partition and separate the ASO, resulting in a raffinate fraction with reduced ASO content, which can be reused, and the sulfur dioxide can be recycled or further processed to increase acid strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional incineration methods are used to regenerate spent sulfuric acid, then acid regeneration is achieved, but emissions increase and installation costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes ASO from spent sulfuric acid using liquid-liquid extraction with a hydrocarbon solvent, separating the harmful components before acid regeneration, thereby avoiding the emissions associated with direct incineration while maintaining regeneration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful ASO contaminants into a separable phase that can be removed and potentially reused or disposed of separately, transforming the waste problem into a manageable separation process that eliminates emissions while regenerating the acid
2Reliability
If conventional incineration facilities are installed for spent acid regeneration, then regeneration capability is provided, but capital installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrocarbon solvent as an intermediary substance that facilitates the separation of ASO from spent acid, enabling a simpler, lower-cost regeneration process that does not require expensive incineration facilities while maintaining effective acid regeneration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hydrocarbon solvent that can be easily separated and potentially discarded or refreshed, replacing the need for expensive, complex incineration infrastructure with a simpler, more economical extraction system
3Reliability
If small-scale operators ship spent acid to large-scale plants for regeneration, then regeneration is achieved, but transportation and exchange costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables small-scale operators to perform acid regeneration themselves using the liquid-liquid extraction method, making the process self-sufficient and eliminating the need to ship spent acid to external facilities, thereby removing transportation and exchange costs
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
This method allows for efficient and cost-effective regeneration of sulfuric acid at ambient temperatures, reducing capital and operating costs while minimizing environmental impact by avoiding high-temperature combustion and associated emissions.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a spent sulfuric acid comprising sulfuric acid and acid soluble oils with sulfur dioxide, wherein at least a portion of the acid soluble oils partitions into the sulfur dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A process for the regeneration of spent sulfuric acid including contacting spent sulfuric acid containing acid soluble oils (ASO) with sulfur dioxide to extract at least a portion of the ASO from the spent sulfuric acid into the sulfur dioxide. The sulfuric acid phase having a reduced ASO content and a sulfur dioxide phase containing at least a portion of the ASO may be recovered. The resulting sulfuric acid and sulfur dioxide phases may be further separated to recover ASO, sulfur dioxide, and sulfuric acid.