Fluorinated Compound Production via Static Mixer Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of fluorinated compounds through catalytic fluorination often results in coking issues within heat exchangers due to the high temperatures required for vaporization and superheating of reactants, leading to equipment degradation and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a static mixer to combine a gas stream of hot hydrofluoric acid with a liquid chlorinated compound, vaporizing the latter at a moderate temperature, thereby avoiding the need for high-temperature heat exchangers and reducing coking risks, while also incorporating a recycling stream for further fluorination and separation of products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the reactants are heated, vaporized, and superheated using heat exchangers before fluorination, then the fluorination reaction can be carried out at high temperature in the gas phase, but this leads to coke production in the heat exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a static mixer as an intermediary device between the heat exchanger and the fluorination reactor. In this mixer, the liquid chlorinated compound stream is rapidly vaporized by mixing with the hot gaseous HF stream, avoiding direct contact with high-temperature heat exchanger surfaces. This intermediary mixing zone allows vaporization to occur through convective heat transfer from the hot gas, preventing coke deposition while achieving the necessary gas-phase conditions for fluorination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional thermal vaporization process (relying on heat exchanger surfaces) with a mechanical mixing process. The static mixer uses mechanical turbulence and fluid dynamics to rapidly mix and vaporize the liquid chlorinated compound in the hot HF gas stream, substituting a mechanical mixing mechanism for a thermal conduction-based vaporization system that would otherwise require high-temperature heat exchanger surfaces.
2Productivity
If high temperature is used for vaporization and superheating, then the reactants are suitable for gas phase fluorination, but the equipment integrity deteriorates due to coking
Solution Approach 1:
The static mixer serves as an intermediary device that decouples the vaporization function from the high-temperature reaction zone. By introducing this intermediate mixing stage, the system achieves rapid vaporization at lower temperatures through contact with the hot HF stream, protecting the equipment from direct exposure to conditions that would cause coking while maintaining the gas-phase environment necessary for efficient fluorination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the vaporization temperature parameter by transitioning from conventional high-temperature heat exchanger vaporization to low-temperature convective vaporization in the hot gas stream. This parameter change allows vaporization to occur at temperatures that do not cause coking, while the subsequent mixing ensures the reactants reach the appropriate temperature and phase for efficient fluorination in the reactor.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional heat exchangers are used for vaporization, then the liquid chlorinated compound can be converted to gas phase, but coking occurs on the heat exchanger surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal conduction-based vaporization system (heat exchanger surfaces) with a convective vaporization system using a static mixer. The mechanical mixing action in the static mixer creates intense turbulence and heat transfer from the hot HF gas stream to the liquid chlorinated compound, achieving rapid phase conversion without requiring high-temperature heat exchanger surfaces that would otherwise coke.
Solution Approach 2:
The static mixer acts as an intermediary device that performs the vaporization function without using traditional heat exchanger surfaces. By introducing this intermediate mixing zone where liquid and hot gas streams interact, the system achieves phase conversion through convective heat transfer in a environment that does not promote coking, while still delivering the vaporized reactant to the fluorination reactor.
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 effectively limits coking in the production process, maintains the integrity of equipment, and allows for the production of fluorinated compounds with reduced degradation and increased efficiency by moderating the vaporization temperature and partial pressure of the chlorinated compound.
Implementation Method 1
the vaporization thereof by mixing with said gaseous stream
Implementation Method 2
The gaseous stream comprising hydrofluoric acid is at a temperature of 250 to 380°C at the time of its mixing with the liquid stream of chlorinated compound
Implementation Method 3
the mixing of the liquid stream of chlorinated compound with the gaseous stream comprising hydrofluoric acid is carried out in a static mixer
Implementation Method 4
the catalytic fluorination of the chlorinated compound with hydrofluoric acid in the gaseous phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a fluorinated compound, comprising: the provision of a gaseous flow comprising hydrofluoric acid; the provision of at least one liquid flow of a chlorinated compound and the vapourisation thereof by mixing with said gaseous flow, the resulting mixture being a gaseous mixture; and the catalytic reaction of the chlorinated compound with hydrofluoric acid in a gaseous phase and the collection of a product flow. The invention also relates to a facility for carrying out said method.