Solid Hydrogen Transfer Agents via Polycondensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid hydrogen donors used in hydrotreating processes are expensive and difficult to recover and separate due to their high miscibility and similar boiling points with petroleum products, limiting their industrial application.
Innovation Solution
The development of polymers with structures such as naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, or carbazole, where the main chain is composed solely of carbon-carbon bonds, which are synthesized using the polyhydroxyalkylation reaction and can be used to create solid hydrogen transfer agents that are more chemically stable and easier to recover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid hydrogen donors are used in hydrotreating processes, then hydrogenation reactions are improved, but recovery and separation become difficult due to high miscibility and similar boiling points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the hydrogen donor from liquid to solid, which fundamentally alters the separation characteristics. Solid hydrogen donors can be easily separated from liquid petroleum products through simple filtration or decantation, eliminating the complex separation processes required for liquid donors with similar boiling points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polyaromatic hydrocarbons with polymer matrices to create solid hydrogen donor materials. These composite structures provide both the hydrogen donation capability of polyaromatic compounds and the ease of separation of solid materials, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and recoverability.
2Productivity
If liquid hydrogen donors are used to increase reactive hydrogen atoms, then hydrotreating efficiency improves, but cost increases and separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the physical state from liquid to solid, the patent enables simple separation methods such as filtration or gravity separation, dramatically reducing separation complexity and operational costs while maintaining the hydrogenation efficiency needed for productive hydrotreating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops solid hydrogen donors that can be easily disposed of or regenerated through simple processes, eliminating the need for expensive complex separation systems required for liquid hydrogen donors. The solid materials can be filtered out and either disposed of economically or regenerated at low cost.
3Quantity of substance
If polyaromatic hydrocarbons are hydrogenated to create hydrogen donors, then hydrogen atoms are provided for hydrogenation reactions, but the compounds become expensive and difficult to recover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the hydrogen donor from liquid (hydrogenated polyaromatic hydrocarbons) to solid (polymer-based materials), which enables easy recovery through filtration or decantation while maintaining the hydrogen atom availability needed for hydrogenation reactions.
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
These solid hydrogen transfer agents can effectively donate hydrogen, are chemically inert, and thermally stable, allowing for improved hydrogenation reactions and easier recycling, thus overcoming the limitations of liquid hydrogen donors.
Implementation Method 1
the synthesized polymers from this methodology can be used for the manufacture of solid hydrogen transfer agents that may or may not be supported over metallic oxides... These solid hydrogen transfer agents can effectively donate hydrogen, are chemically inert, and thermally stable, allowing for improved hydrogenation reactions
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure refers to a method for the synthesis of polymers with weight average molecular weights greater than 50,000 g/mol, chemically inert, with a minimum decomposition temperature of 425° C., and a main chain composed only of carbon-carbon bonds, which contain structures of the type of naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, carbazole or any other where two or more aromatic rings of six carbon atoms of the benzene-type are fused, which may or may not contain aromatic heterocycles. In addition, the polymers obtained from the present disclosure may or may not contain fluorine atoms in their structure. The synthesis described here is carried out by means of polycondensation between a polycyclic aromatic compound and a compound with a carbonyl group in its structure in a strong acid medium.