Method for removing fouling downstream of an ODH reactor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10899981-B2
Application number	US-201816186873-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 12, 2018
Priority date	Dec 11, 2017
Publication date	Jan 26, 2021
Grant date	Jan 26, 2021

Abstract

A method for preventing or removing water soluble fouling located downstream of an oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) reactor is described. The method employs the introduction of water upstream of fouling locations, either continuously or intermittently, which acts to solubilize and carry away fouling material. The method has the advantage of being applicable for use while an ODH process is ongoing, circumventing the need for a costly shutdown.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene comprising removing or preventing buildup of substantially water soluble fouling in the piping downstream of an idle or operational ODH reactor, comprising introducing a solvent into one or more locations within the piping, with at least one of the one or more locations at a position upstream of fouling, and wherein the solvent is introduced primarily in a liquid state at the pressure and temperature within the piping at the location of introduction.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is introduced at a flow rate or pressure that promotes an annular flow of solvent substantially in contact with the inner surface of the piping.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ODH reactor is operational and the solvent is introduced at a flow rate or pressure that promotes slug flow of the solvent and wherein the introduction of the solvent does not disrupt operation of the ODH reactor.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is water.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the solvent is water.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the solvent is water.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is dilute acetic acid.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the solvent is dilute acetic acid.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the solvent is dilute acetic acid.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is introduced into at least one of the one or more locations via a pipe in pipe arrangement.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the solvent is water.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the solvent is dilute acetic acid.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is introduced into at least one of the one or more locations via an instream atomizer.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the solvent is water.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the solvent is dilute acetic acid.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is introduced by a plurality of holes around the circumference of the pipe.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the solvent is water.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the solvent is dilute acetic acid.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is introduced into at least one of the one or more locations continuously during operation of the ODH reactor.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is introduced into at least one of the one or more locations intermittently during operation of the ODH reactor.

Assignees

• Nova Chem Int Sa
• Noca Chemicals Int S A

Inventors

• Simanzhenkov Vasily
• Goodarznia Shahin
• Kim Yoonhee
• Clavelle Eric

Classifications

• B08B9/032

  by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing (B08B9/04 takes precedence {; by fluid jets mounted on cleaning devices B08B9/0433}) · CPC title

• B08B9/0321

  using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid (E04F17/126 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B08B9/027

  Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages · CPC title

• C07C5/48

  with oxygen as an acceptor · CPC title

• C07C5/333

  Catalytic processes · CPC title