Static Mixer Hydrogenation Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogenation processes for producing alicyclic compounds experience varying reaction rates and space-time yields due to concentration gradients of hydrogen along the hydrogenation unit, leading to reduced overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The process involves using a static mixer to uniformly mix a stream of aromatic compounds with a hydrogen-containing gas before introducing them into a hydrogenation unit, ensuring consistent hydrogen concentration and improved reaction rates throughout the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogenation gas and liquid reactant are introduced into a hydrogenation unit without pre-mixing, then the process is simple, but the hydrogen concentration varies along the unit length leading to reduced overall yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing the hydrogenation gas with the liquid reactant stream before introducing it into the hydrogenation unit. This is achieved using static mixers that create a homogeneous mixture ahead of time, ensuring uniform hydrogen distribution throughout the reaction process and maintaining consistent reaction rates along the entire unit length.
Solution Approach 2:
The static mixer acts as an intermediary device between the gas and liquid streams. It facilitates the mixing process by providing a controlled environment where gas bubbles are dispersed and distributed uniformly throughout the liquid phase, creating a homogeneous mixture that then enters the hydrogenation unit with consistent hydrogen concentration.
2Productivity
If no mixing device is used, then the device complexity is low, but the space-time yield varies along the hydrogenation unit
Solution Approach 1:
The static mixer is designed to be self-regulating and requires no external control mechanisms. Once the gas and liquid streams are introduced into the mixer, the internal geometry automatically creates turbulence and mixing through the flow patterns themselves, maintaining constant mixing action without requiring variable speed drives, controls, or additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical mixing systems (such as rotating impellers or moving parts) with a static mixer that relies on fluid dynamics and internal geometry. The mixing action is achieved through the interaction of flow streams and fixed internal elements, eliminating the need for moving mechanical components while still achieving uniform mixing.
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 approach achieves a more constant space-time yield and enhances the overall efficiency of the hydrogenation process by maintaining uniform hydrogen concentration, thereby improving the production of alicyclic compounds.
Implementation Method 1
Mixing occurs when the input streams are guided over the flow elements in the tube, thereby creating turbulent flows
Implementation Method 2
The hydrogenation of aromatic compounds, for example, occurs through the reaction of an aromatic-containing reactant in the liquid phase with a hydrogen-containing hydrogenation gas
Implementation Method 3
the concentration of hydrogen, which has passed from the gas phase to the liquid phase, increases along the length of the hydrogenation unit
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to the production of alicyclic compounds by ring hydrogenation of aromatic compounds. Within the scope of the invention, processes for producing alicyclic compounds, preferably alicyclic carboxylic acids and their esters, using a static mixer are provided, as well as apparatus for carrying out this process.