Plant-Derived Solid Paraffin Production via Cooling Precipitation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing plant-derived solid paraffins are complex and costly, requiring high temperature and pressure, making them unsuitable for industrial production.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of an alcohol to vegetable oil to form a fatty acid ester, which is then cooled to precipitate hydrocarbons, simplifying the process and reducing energy consumption and production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional methods (saponification, distillation, column chromatography) are used to produce plant-derived solid paraffin, then purification can be achieved, but the process complexity and production cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepurificationVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the necessary purification step (cooling precipitation) from the complex conventional process, eliminating saponification, distillation, and column chromatography while maintaining effective separation of paraffin from vegetable oil

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex purification equipment and multiple processing stages with a simple, inexpensive cooling and filtration system that achieves adequate purification for industrial application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional methods (saponification, distillation, column chromatography) are used to produce plant-derived solid paraffin, then purification can be achieved, but the production cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepurificationVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive, complex purification equipment and multiple processing stages with a simple, inexpensive cooling and filtration system that achieves adequate purification for industrial application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter (cooling the fatty acid ester to below its melting point) to induce paraffin precipitation, replacing the need for expensive distillation and chromatography processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If hydrodeoxygenation treatment using sulfided catalysts is used to produce plant-derived paraffin, then conversion can be achieved, but high temperature and pressure are required, increasing energy consumption and production cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter (cooling the fatty acid ester to below its melting point) to induce paraffin precipitation, replacing the need for expensive distillation and chromatography processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation process (requiring high temperature, pressure, and catalysts) with a simple physical separation process based on temperature-controlled precipitation and filtration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If hydrodeoxygenation treatment using sulfided catalysts is used to produce plant-derived paraffin, then conversion can be achieved, but production cost increases due to high temperature and pressure requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter (cooling the fatty acid ester to below its melting point) to induce paraffin precipitation, replacing the need for expensive distillation and chromatography processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation process (requiring high temperature, pressure, and catalysts) with a simple physical separation process based on temperature-controlled precipitation and filtration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 the low-cost industrial production of plant-derived solid paraffins with high purity, enabling their use in various applications as alternatives to petroleum-derived paraffins.

Implementation Method 1

cooling, the precipitation of hydrocarbons is carried out

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240360378A1Method for producing plant-derived solid paraffin and plant-derived solid paraffin

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 PHYTOCHEM PROD INC

AI summary

A method for producing a plant-derived solid paraffin and a plant-derived solid paraffin make it possible to reduce the production cost. An alcohol is added to a vegetable oil to obtain a fatty acid ester, and then a solid paraffin is obtained from the fatty acid ester. The fatty acid ester is preferably obtained in the presence of an acid catalyst or a base catalyst. After obtaining the fatty acid ester, the fatty acid ester is preferably cooled to precipitate a solid, followed by separation of the solid to obtain a solid paraffin. The solid paraffin obtained includes a saturated hydrocarbon(s) having an odd number(s) of carbon atoms of C21 to C29 in a proportion of not less than 60%.