White Oil Catalytic Hydrogenation Yield Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing white oils result in by-products such as cracking products, leading to reduced yields and increased costs, particularly due to the involvement of high sulfur amounts.
Innovation Solution
A process involving catalytic hydrogenation of a base oil feedstock at specific temperature, pressure, and liquid hourly space velocity conditions, with a sulfur content of less than 5 ppm, to produce white oils with an initial boiling point of at least 250°C and reduced aromatic content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional hydrofining processes are used to produce white oils, then the aromatic content is reduced, but cracking by-products are formed leading to reduced yield
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters of the hydrogenation process, specifically using temperatures of 200-400°C and pressures of 30-160 bar with modified catalyst systems, to achieve aromatic removal without the cracking reactions that occur in conventional processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a specific catalyst system acting as an intermediary that facilitates selective hydrogenation of aromatic compounds while preventing cracking reactions. The catalyst enables the desired chemical transformation without causing unwanted side reactions
2Productivity
If high sulfur amounts are involved in the process, then the refining capability is enhanced, but the cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses base oil feedstocks with low sulfur content (less than 5 ppm) that can be processed through a single hydrogenation step without requiring extensive pre-treatment or sulfur-tolerant catalysts, thereby reducing overall process cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the feedstock specification parameter (sulfur content < 5 ppm) and adjusts process parameters (temperature, pressure, catalyst type) to achieve effective refining without requiring high sulfur inputs, thus reducing cost and environmental burden
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 process achieves higher yields and reduced costs by minimizing by-product formation, specifically cracking products, while maintaining the purity and stability requirements of white oils, as defined by pharmacopeial standards.
Implementation Method 1
a step of catalytically hydrogenating a base oil feedstock
Implementation Method 2
a step of catalytically hydrogenating a base oil feedstock
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a process for producing a white oil having an initial boiling point of at least 250° C., the process comprising a step of catalytically hydrogenating a base oil feedstock at a temperature of from 120 to 210° C., at a pressure of from 30 to 160 bars and a liquid hourly space velocity of 0.2 to 5 hr−1, the base oil feedstock comprising less than 5 ppm by weight of sulphur.