Supported Catalyst Aldehyde Reduction in Carbonylation Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current carbonylation processes for producing acetic acid face challenges in reducing aldehyde concentrations in gas phase feed streams, leading to undesirable byproducts and quality issues, with existing methods being costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a supported catalyst with group 8 to group 11 metals, such as palladium or platinum, is used to contact the gas phase feed stream under controlled conditions, reducing aldehyde concentrations through oxidation or decomposition regimes, thereby minimizing the formation of undesirable byproducts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional carbonylation processes are used to produce acetic acid, then production can proceed with standard feed streams, but aldehyde concentrations remain high leading to undesirable byproducts and quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealdehyde concentration controlVSAvoidundesirable byproducts
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by treating the gas phase feed stream with a supported metal catalyst (groups 8-11) before the carbonylation reaction to pre-remove aldehydes. This prevents aldehydes from entering the carbonylation reactor where they would form undesirable byproducts, thereby improving acetic acid quality without affecting the main reaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts harmful aldehyde components from the feed stream through catalytic treatment with supported metal catalysts. By selectively removing aldehydes (acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, etc.) before carbonylation, the process eliminates the source of harmful byproducts while preserving the desired carbonylatable reactants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If existing aldehyde reduction methods are applied, then some aldehyde removal is achieved, but the processes are costly and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealdehyde concentration reductionVSAvoidprocess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs supported metal catalysts (groups 8-11) that are relatively inexpensive and can be easily replaced or regenerated. These catalysts are loaded on high-surface-area supports and provide effective aldehyde removal without requiring complex recovery systems, making the process economically viable and highly efficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the feed stream by using supported metal catalysts that selectively catalyze aldehyde decomposition or oxidation. The catalysts operate under specific temperature and pressure conditions optimized for aldehyde removal while preserving carbonylatable reactants, achieving high efficiency in aldehyde reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If aldehyde concentrations are not reduced, then the feed stream can be processed directly, but quality of acetic acid production deteriorates due to byproduct formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed stream processingVSAvoidacetic acid quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by installing a catalytic treatment unit in the feed stream line before the carbonylation reactor. This unit uses supported metal catalysts to remove aldehydes in advance, ensuring that only purified feed enters the main reaction, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and high acetic acid quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The supported metal catalyst acts as an intermediary between the raw feed stream and the carbonylation reactor. It selectively interacts with aldehyde molecules to decompose or oxidize them, while allowing carbonylatable reactants to pass through to the main reactor, thus protecting the quality of acetic acid production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces aldehyde concentrations by up to 99.9%, improving the quality of acetic acid production while maintaining the concentration of carbonylatable reactants, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the carbonylation process.

Implementation Method 1

reducing the aldehyde concentration to a second aldehyde concentration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

reducing the aldehyde concentration to a second aldehyde concentration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

contacting the gas phase feed stream with a supported catalyst that comprises at least one group 8 to group 11 metal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2562153B1Process for the reduction of aldehyde concentration in a target stream
Publication Date: 2015.07.22 CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORP

AI summary

A process for reducing the aldehyde concentration in a target stream of a carbonylation process is disclosed. More specifically, a process for reducing the aldehyde concentration in an internal process stream or feed stream of a carbonylation process is disclosed. In particular, a process in which a target stream comprising a carbonylatable reactant and a first aldehyde concentration is subjected to a reaction comprising a supported catalyst that comprises at least one Group 8 to Group 11 metal at conditions sufficient to reduce the first aldehyde concentration to a second aldehyde concentration is disclosed.