Sucrose Hydrolysis and Separation for Selective MEG Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing monoethylene glycol (MEG) from sucrose as a bio-based feedstock result in low selectivity and high co-production of monopropylene glycol (MPG), which has limited market demand, making the process economically undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the hydrolysis of sucrose to separate glucose and fructose streams, followed by a hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis reaction using a catalyst system in the presence of a solvent to produce MEG with reduced MPG co-production, allowing for the flexible utilization of fructose derivatives as valuable chemical building blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sucrose is used as feedstock for MEG production via hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis, then a renewable bio-based route is achieved, but selectivity to MEG is low and MPG by-product is high
Solution Approach 1:
The sucrose molecule is segmented into its constituent monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) through hydrolysis. This segmentation allows selective processing of glucose to MEG while fructose can be directed to other valuable products, thereby improving overall process selectivity and reducing unwanted MPG by-products
Solution Approach 2:
Fructose is extracted/separated from the hydrolyzed sucrose mixture and removed from the glucose-to-MEG conversion pathway. This extraction prevents fructose from competing in the hydrogenation reaction, thereby improving MEG selectivity and reducing MPG formation
2Device complexity
If direct hydrogenation of sucrose is performed, then process simplicity is maintained, but MEG selectivity remains low due to competing reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The process is segmented into distinct stages: hydrolysis of sucrose to glucose/fructose, separation of fructose, and selective hydrogenation of glucose. This segmentation transforms a simple but low-selectivity one-step process into a multi-step process with high overall MEG selectivity
Solution Approach 2:
Fructose is removed through preliminary separation before the hydrogenation step. This preliminary action prevents fructose from interfering with the glucose-to-MEG conversion, thereby improving selectivity without significantly complicating the overall process
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 process enhances MEG selectivity while minimizing MPG production, providing an economically viable and flexible route for MEG production from sucrose, with the potential to convert entire sucrose molecules into MEG and produce valuable by-products like hydroxymethylfurfural and its derivatives.
Implementation Method 1
hydrolysing sucrose to form a reaction product stream comprising glucose and fructose
Implementation Method 2
contacting the glucose rich stream with hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system with catalytic hydrogenation abilities to produce a product stream comprising MEG
Implementation Method 3
catalyst system with catalytic hydrogenation abilities
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a process for the preparation of monoethylene glycol from sucrose comprising the steps of: i) hydrolyzing sucrose to form a reaction product stream comprising glucose and fructose; ii) separating the reaction product stream comprising glucose and fructose into a fructose or fructose derivative rich stream and a glucose rich stream; and iii) contacting the glucose rich stream with hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system with catalytic hydrogenation abilities to produce a product stream comprising monoethylene glycol.