Tetramer Production Oxygenate Removal Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catalytic processes for C9 and C12 tetramer production face challenges due to significant increases in market prices, increased hydraulic requirements, reduced catalyst life, and the presence of light oxygenates like acetone and isopropyl alcohol, which cause corrosion and deactivation of catalysts, leading to adverse effects such as carboxylic acid production and reduced selectivity in downstream petrochemical units.
Innovation Solution
A tetramer production apparatus with a fractionation zone and an oxygenate removal zone using an adsorbent to remove oxygenate compounds from the distillation product, preventing their accumulation and interference in the production process, thereby minimizing hydraulic impact, extending catalyst life, and enhancing product selectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If C6-C9 hydrocarbons are recycled back to the reaction section to obtain more C12 alkenes, then C12 tetramer production increases, but hydraulic requirements of the first column increase and catalyst life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes light oxygenates (acetone, isopropyl alcohol, etc.) from the C6-C9 hydrocarbon recycle stream using an oxygenate removal zone positioned between the fractionation section and reaction section. This prevents oxygenates from entering the reactors with the recycled hydrocarbons, thereby protecting catalyst life while maintaining the beneficial recycle of C6-C9 hydrocarbons for increased C12 tetramer production
2Adaptability or versatility
If light oxygenates are present in the fractionation cut, then downstream production units can utilize the stream, but corrosion and catalyst deactivation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifically extracts and removes light oxygenates (acetone, isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanone, diisopropyl ether) from the fractionation cut using an oxygenate removal zone with appropriate adsorbents or separation media. This eliminates the harmful corrosion and catalyst deactivation effects while allowing the cleaned hydrocarbon stream to be utilized in downstream production units
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygenate removal zone acts as an intermediary unit between the fractionation section and reaction section, mediating the stream by removing problematic oxygenates before the hydrocarbons enter the reaction section. This intermediary treatment protects downstream equipment and catalysts while maintaining process continuity
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
The removal of oxygenates prevents corrosion, reduces catalyst deactivation, and increases the production of higher-value C12 tetramers, improving the efficiency and longevity of catalysts in the reaction section while minimizing capital costs.
Implementation Method 1
The oxygenate removal zone may include an adsorbent for removing one or more oxygenate compounds from a distillation product obtained from at least a portion of the overhead stream of the second fractionation zone and is passed through the oxygenate removal zone
Data Source
AI summary
One exemplary embodiment can be a tetramer production apparatus. The apparatus can include a fractionation zone and an oxygenate removal zone. The fractionation zone can produce a distillation product including one or more C6 hydrocarbons for producing one or more C12 compounds. The oxygenate removal zone may remove one or more oxygenate compounds from the distillation product passed through the oxygenate removal zone.