Integrated Thermal Oxidation for Propane Dehydrogenation Effluent
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current propane and butane dehydrogenation complexes have complex and costly effluent treatment systems, with multiple components and high chemical consumption, and fail to effectively utilize waste gaseous emissions and treat low-volume COD/BOD aqueous streams efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An integrated dehydrogenation and thermal oxidation process that combines effluent streams from various vessels into a thermal oxidation system, eliminating redundant treatment sections, reducing capital and operating costs, and utilizing waste heat recovery, while classifying streams by calorific value for efficient treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate treatment facilities are used for effluent streams, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate treatment facilities (caustic scrubber, thermal oxidizer, flare system) into a single integrated thermal oxidation system that receives and treats all effluent streams through one unified process, reducing the number of individual components while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal oxidation system is designed to perform multiple functions: it treats caustic scrubber effluent, processes flare gas, handles solvent recovery streams, and manages various aqueous and gaseous effluents through a single multi-functional unit that adapts to different stream types
2Reliability
If multiple treatment facilities with redundant components are used, then treatment coverage is improved, but capital costs and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates redundant chemical treatment sections by merging caustic scrubbing, thermal oxidation, and flare functions into one system, significantly reducing chemical consumption while maintaining comprehensive treatment coverage for all effluent streams
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts waste gaseous emissions that would otherwise be flared into a useful resource by using them as fuel for the thermal oxidation process, eliminating the need for separate fuel gas systems and reducing overall chemical and energy consumption
3Reliability
If waste gaseous emissions are flared, then safety is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful waste gaseous emissions into a beneficial fuel source by routing them to the thermal oxidation system where they combust to provide process heat, thereby recovering their calorific value and eliminating energy loss associated with conventional flaring
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal oxidation system is self-sustaining by using the waste gaseous emissions from the process itself as the fuel source for combustion, eliminating the need for external fuel gas supplies and creating a self-service energy system
4Reliability
If separate treatment systems are used for different effluent streams, then treatment specificity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal oxidation system is designed with universal capability to treat multiple types of effluent streams (gaseous, liquid, aqueous) with different characteristics through a single integrated process, maintaining treatment specificity for each stream type while eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems
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 simplifies the treatment process, reduces chemical consumption, integrates treatment facilities to minimize equipment, and effectively utilizes waste streams, achieving cost savings and improved environmental compliance.
Implementation Method 1
provides proper treatment of hydrocarbon containing liquid and gaseous streams... thermally oxidizing at least one of a spent caustic stream, a liquid hydrocarbon stream, an off-gas stream, and a fuel gas stream
Implementation Method 2
utilizing waste heat recovery
Data Source
AI summary
A process for the treatment of sulfidic spent caustic, conditioned catalyst regeneration vent gas, C4 isomerization off gas, various and hydrocarbon containing liquid and gaseous streams in addition to toxic containing streams like cyanidic off gas and waste water in a propane/butane dehydrogenation complex is described. Various effluent streams are combined in appropriate collection vessels, including an off-gas knockout drum, a hydrocarbon buffer vessel, a spent caustic buffer vessel, an optional a waste water buffer vessel, and a fuel gas knockout drum. Streams from these vessels are sent to a thermal oxidation system.