Water-Soluble ODSO Acid Media for DSO By-Product Valorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient and economical process to treat large volumes of disulfide oil (DSO) by-products and their derivatives to facilitate environmentally acceptable disposal and enhance their value in refining processes, as conventional acids used in chemical, petrochemical, and petroleum refining are undesirable and pose handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing oxidized disulfide oil (ODSO) compounds as a water-soluble acid medium, which can be used in aqueous solutions to acidify or neutralize other solutions, and as a catalyst for processes such as alkylation, peptization, and dealumination, replacing conventional acids like hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric acids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric acids) are used in chemical, petrochemical, and petroleum refining processes, then effective acidification and catalysis are achieved, but handling challenges and environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solid acid catalysts that can be easily disposed of after use, eliminating the need for handling and storage of conventional liquid acids. The catalysts are designed to be used once and then discarded, solving the handling challenges associated with conventional acids while maintaining their acidification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solid acid catalysts as intermediaries to perform the acidification function without requiring direct contact with conventional liquid acids. These catalysts mediate the chemical reactions by providing acidic sites on their surface, achieving the desired acidification effect while avoiding the harmful handling aspects of conventional acids
2Loss of substance
If DSO by-products are disposed of in fuel oil pool or processed in hydrotreating unit, then disposal is achieved, but sulfur content increases or hydrogen consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of DSO by converting it into a solid acid catalyst through controlled oxidation and other chemical transformations. This parameter change allows DSO to be transformed from a waste product that must be disposed of into a valuable catalyst material, eliminating the need for disposal while avoiding increases in sulfur content or hydrogen consumption
3Loss of substance
If DSO by-products are disposed of in fuel oil pool or processed in hydrotreating unit, then disposal is achieved, but hydrogen consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms DSO through chemical parameter changes to create solid acid catalysts, eliminating the need for energy-intensive disposal processes like hydrotreating that consume large amounts of hydrogen. The transformation process uses alternative chemical pathways that do not require excessive hydrogen input
4Reliability
If conventional acids are used for acidification, then effective pH control is achieved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable solid acid catalysts that can be discarded after use, eliminating the environmental impact associated with disposing of conventional liquid acids. These catalysts provide effective pH control during their use and then can be disposed of without significant environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful DSO waste product into a beneficial solid acid catalyst. By transforming DSO through oxidation and other chemical processes, the patent turns an environmental liability into an asset that provides effective pH control while being environmentally friendly to dispose of
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
ODSO compounds provide an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional acids, enhancing the value of DSO by-products by modifying their properties for use in refining processes, reducing environmental impact, and improving catalyst efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
Brønsted-Lowry acids are molecules that are capable of donating a proton to another substance
Implementation Method 2
A Lewis acid is the one that forms a covalent bond with an electron pair in the molecule structure
Implementation Method 3
as a catalyst for processes such as alkylation
Implementation Method 4
as a catalyst for processes such as alkylation, peptization, and dealumination
Implementation Method 5
as a catalyst for processes such as alkylation, peptization, and dealumination
Data Source
AI summary
An acid medium is provided comprising one or more water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil ODSO compounds. The use of such an acid medium is disclosed as a replacement for conventional acids. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an ODSO acid or ODSO acid mixture medium comprising, consisting of or consisting essentially of one or more polar water-soluble ODSO compounds, including polar water-soluble ODSO compounds present in an effluent refinery hydrocarbon stream recovered following catalytic oxidation of mercaptans present in a petroleum feedstream.