Complex comprising ODH unit with integrated oxygen separation module
AssigneeNova Chemical (International) S.A.
InventorsKamal Serhal, Vasily Simanzhenkov, Shahin Goodarznia, David Gent, Mark Williamson
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Abstract
Oxidative dehydrogenation is an alternative to the energy extensive steam cracking process presently used for the production of olefins from paraffins, but has not been implemented commercially partially due to the unstable nature of hydrocarbon/oxygen mixtures, and partially due to the cost involved in the construction of new facilities. An oxidative dehydrogenation chemical complex designed to reduce costs by including integration of an oxygen separation module that also addresses safety concerns and reduces emission of greenhouse gases is described.
Claims13
A chemical complex for oxidative dehydrogenation of lower alkanes, the chemical complex comprising in cooperative arrangement:
- i) at least one oxidative dehydrogenation reactor, comprising an oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst and designed to accept, optionally in the presence of an inert diluent, an oxygen containing gas and a lower alkane containing gas, and to produce a product stream comprising a corresponding alkene and one or more of:
- a. unreacted lower alkane;
- b. oxygen;
- c. inert diluent;
- d. carbon oxides, including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide;
- e. oxygenates, including but not limited to, one or more of acetic acid, acrylic acid and maleic acid;
- and
- f. water;
- ii) a quench tower for quenching said product stream and for removing water and soluble oxygenates from said product stream;
- iii) an amine wash for removing carbon dioxide from said product stream;
- iv) a dryer for removal of water from said product stream;
- v) a distillation tower for removing C2/C2+ hydrocarbons from said product stream to produce an overhead stream enriched with C1 hydrocarbons and any other compounds lighter than C2/C2+ hydrocarbons;
- vi) optionally, a means for introducing a combustible fuel into said overhead stream;
- and
- vii) an oxygen separation module comprising:
- a. an oxygen transport membrane housed inside a sealed vessel and having a retentate side and a permeate side;
- b. a first inlet for introducing said overhead stream, combustible fuel, or both into said retentate side;
- c. a second inlet for introducing said overhead stream, combustible fuel, or both into said permeate side;
- d. an air inlet for introducing air into said retentate side;
- e. an exhaust for discharge of oxygen depleted air and combustion products from said retentate side;
- and
- f. an outlet for removing oxygen enriched gas and combustion products from said permeate side;
- wherein the components in i) through vii) are connected in series in the sequence described, said overhead stream from v) is directed into said retentate side, said permeate side, or both said retentate side and said permeate side, and said oxygen enriched gas and combustion products from said permeate side is directed back to i) as or part of said oxygen containing gas introduced into said at least one oxidative dehydrogenation reactor;
- optionally, said chemical complex further comprises a flooded gas mixer for premixing said oxygen containing gas and said lower alkane containing gas prior to introduction into said at least one oxidative dehydrogenation reactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.