Three-Column Distillation for Organic Solvent Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for recovering organic solvents from waste solutions in the styrene-butadiene copolymer preparation process face challenges such as high organic solvent loss rates and plugging phenomena in distillation columns due to unreacted aromatic vinyl-based monomers, which disrupt the polymerization process and reduce productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a three-step distillation process using separate columns to recover organic solvents from waste solutions generated during steam stripping, where the first and second mixed solutions containing high boiling point compounds are processed independently and then combined in a third column to separate an organic solvent-rich fraction and a high boiling point compound-rich fraction, with the unreacted aromatic vinyl-based monomer ratio maintained below 30 wt%, thereby reducing polymerization and plugging risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the temperature of the bottom of the distillation column is increased to 100°C or more to reduce the amount of organic solvent discharged, then the amount of organic solvent discharged is reduced, but polymerization occurs between unreacted aromatic vinyl-based monomers causing plugging phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The distillation process is divided into multiple columns with different functions: the first column performs initial separation at lower temperature, the second column further purifies the organic solvent, and the third column removes high boiling point materials. This segmentation allows each column to operate under optimized conditions, preventing polymerization while maximizing solvent recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of each distillation column differently - the first and second columns operate at lower temperatures to prevent polymerization, while the third column operates at higher temperature to remove high boiling point materials. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between solvent recovery and process stability.
2Device complexity
If a single distillation column is used to separate organic solvent from waste solution, then the separation process is simple, but the organic solvent loss rate is high and plugging occurs due to monomer polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is segmented into three distinct distillation columns, each performing a specific separation function. This segmentation increases device complexity but dramatically reduces organic solvent loss by enabling optimized temperature control in each stage and preventing polymerization-related plugging.
3Productivity
If the unreacted aromatic vinyl-based monomer ratio is high in the discharged fraction, then more organic solvent can be recovered, but polymerization occurs causing plugging phenomenon and process shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the separation process to handle monomer-containing streams differently. The first and second columns recover organic solvent with minimal monomer carryover, while the third column specifically addresses high boiling point material removal. This segmentation maintains process continuity by preventing polymerization while achieving high solvent recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts unreacted monomers and high boiling point materials from the organic solvent stream through controlled distillation. By taking out these problematic components at appropriate stages, the process maintains both high solvent recovery and continuous operation without polymerization-induced plugging.
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 significantly reduces organic solvent loss rates and prevents plugging in distillation columns, ensuring stable and efficient polymerization processes by maintaining the unreacted aromatic vinyl-based monomer ratio below 30 wt%, thus enhancing economic efficiency and process stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first distillation column (10) which recovers an organic solvent from a first mixed solution containing an organic solvent and high boiling point compound A
Implementation Method 2
The steam stripping is a process of forming rubber particles by contacting a polymer solution obtained after the polymerization reaction with steam and separating a volatile substance containing an organic solvent except the rubber particles
Data Source
AI summary
A method of separating an organic solvent which may easily separate and recover an organic solvent from a mixed solution containing the organic solvent, and an organic solvent separation system capable of performing the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes introducing a first mixed solution into a first distillation column to recover an organic solvent and discharge a first fraction containing an unrecovered organic solvent and a high boiling point compound A to a bottom of the column, introducing a second mixed solution into a second distillation column to recover organic solvent and discharge a second fraction containing an unrecovered organic solvent and a high boiling point compound B, and introducing the first fraction and the second fraction into a third distillation column to recover an organic solvent-rich fraction and a high boiling point compound-rich fraction.