Waste Organic Zinc Catalyst Regeneration via Solid Acid Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for regenerating waste organic zinc catalysts are economically inefficient due to the need for separate washing processes and the use of solvents, which increases costs and damages the catalyst's surface characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the alternately dry-mixing of a dicarboxylic acid and a zinc compound with the waste organic zinc catalyst, focusing on surface modification to recover catalytic activity without the use of solvents, thereby simplifying and cost-reducing the regeneration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the catalyst is regenerated by separating the organic zinc catalyst from a polycarbonate resin solution using a filter or centrifugation and then retreating the catalyst with a solution including an excessive amount of dicarboxylic acid, then the catalyst can be regenerated, but a separate washing process is additionally required, costs increase, and economic feasibility cannot be practically achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst regeneration effectivenessVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the dicarboxylic acid from liquid/dissolved to solid phase, enabling direct solid-liquid mixing without requiring solvent systems. This parameter change eliminates the need for separate washing processes while maintaining effective catalyst regeneration, resolving the contradiction between regeneration effectiveness and process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the solvent component from the regeneration process by using solid-phase dicarboxylic acid directly. This extraction of the unnecessary solvent element simplifies the overall process by eliminating washing steps while preserving the essential regeneration function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the catalyst is regenerated by retreating with a solution including an excessive amount of dicarboxylic acid, then the catalyst can be regenerated, but costs increase due to the use of solvents and additional washing processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst regeneration effectivenessVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses solid-phase dicarboxylic acid as a simple, inexpensive reagent that can be directly mixed with the catalyst without requiring expensive solvent systems. This approach reduces material costs while maintaining regeneration effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the solvent component from the process, removing the associated costs of solvent purchase, handling, and disposal while preserving the essential chemical interaction needed for catalyst regeneration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the catalyst is regenerated using existing methods, then the catalyst can be reused, but the surface characteristics of the catalyst are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst reusabilityVSAvoidcatalyst surface characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the dicarboxylic acid to solid phase and conducts the regeneration at controlled temperatures that prevent surface damage. This parameter optimization allows effective regeneration while preserving the catalyst's surface characteristics and structural integrity for repeated use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method effectively recovers the catalytic activity of the waste organic zinc catalyst to a high level, allowing for its efficient reuse with minimal costs and maintaining the catalyst's surface integrity, thus enhancing economic feasibility and regeneration efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

performing surface modification using a dicarboxylic acid and a zinc compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface modification:

Implementation Method 2

alternately dry-mixing a dicarboxylic acid and a zinc compound with the waste organic zinc catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDry-mixing:

Data Source

PatentUS11944961B2Method for regenerating waste organic zinc catalyst through surface modification
Publication Date: 2024.04.02 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for regenerating a waste organic zinc catalyst by performing surface modification using a dicarboxylic acid and a zinc compound. When using the method for regenerating an organic zinc catalyst according to the present disclosure, the organic zinc catalyst can be regenerated using a convenient method which modifies the dicarboxylic acid and the zinc compound in an alternately repeated manner.