Adsorbent paraffin separation

Even if 5A zeolite is widely used in iso-paraffin separation from an n/iso paraffin mixture, the adsorbent is affected by a slow deactivation mainly due to coke formation inside the molecular sieve porosity. Its aging phenomenon decreases its sorption properties. According to previous studies, 5A zeolite deactivation results essentially from heavy carbonaceous compound formation in a-cages blocking the 5A zeolite microporosity [1-2]. 

Examples of rate-selective adsorption are demonstrated using silicalite adsorbent for separation of Ciq-Cm n-paraffins from non- -paraffins [40, 41] and Ciq-Ch mono-methyl-paraffins from non-n-paraffins [42-45]. Silicalite is a ten-ringed zeolite with a pore opening of 5.4A x 5.7 A [22]. In the case of -paraffins/non-n-paraffins separation [40, 41], n-paraffins enter the pores of silicalite freely, but non-n-paraffins such as aromatics, naphthenes and iso-paraffins diffuse into the pores more slowly. However, the diffusion rates of both normal -paraffins and non-n-paraffins increase with temperature. So, one would expect to see minimal separation of n-paraffins from non-n-paraffins at high temperatures but high separation at lower temperature. 

Each Molex process employs a unique set of process operating conditions, process configuration and desorbent. The specific process details for each of the three n-paraffin separation process are revealed in this chapter, but before we review these details, we first discuss the important adsorbent and desorbent performance characteristics that are common to all. 

The fifth and final adsorbent characteristic is zeolite type. The adsorbent used in the Molex process is a proprietary and is a particularly effective adsorbent for normal paraffin separation [4, 5] and has achieved purity and recovery targets for the Molex processes. A sampUng of various molecules (and their corresponding dimensions) that Molex can easily separate is listed in Table 8.1. As discussed in Chapter 6, a zeoUtes s pore structure is dependent on its silica aluminum ratio and the proprietary Molex adsorbent possess a uniform repeating three-dimensional porous structure with pores running perpendicular to each other in the x. 

The n-paraffin separation process utilizes the conventional Sorbex flow scheme shown in Figure 8.1. There are three main sections of a Sorbex unit depicted (i) adsorbent chambers, (ii) Sorbex rotary valve, (iii) product/desorbent fractionation columns. As indicated earlier, desorbent is typically recycled to the Sorbex adsorbent chambers via fractionation. Figure 8.1 depicts a post-Sorbex fractionation scheme using a light desorbent. This term refers to the boiling point of the... 

Union Carbide s OlefinSiv Process. Union Carbide s OlefinSiv process is used mainly to separate n-butylenes from isobutylene 31). The basic hardware is the same as for the IsoSiv process for n-paraffin separation, and the process uses a rapid cycle, fixed-bed adsorption. Since this process separates straight-chain olefins from branched-chain olefins, it is reasonable to assume that a 5A molecular sieve is used as the adsorbent. Product purities are claimed to be above 99% for both n-butylene and isobutylene streams. 

Reversed-phase chromatography is the term commonly applied to a system where a nonpolar liquid phase is coated on the solid support and elution carried out with an immiscible polar phase. Such systems are often necessary for separations which cannot be carried out by normal partition or adsorption chromatography. For TLC, the stationary phase is normally a liquid of high boiling point which does not readily evaporate from the adsorbent. Paraffin oil, silicone oil or n-tetradecane coated on silica gel or Kieselguhr are frequently used with water-based mobile phases such as acetone—water (3 2) or acetic acid-water (3 1). Reversed-phase chromatography is very useful for the TLC analysis of lipids and related compounds. 

Adsorbents/desiccants/separation processes Zeolites are used as drying agents, in applications such as gas purification and in important separation processes such as n-paraffins from branched paraffins, p-xylene from its isomers and others. 

Each olefin is more soluble than the paraffin of the same chain length, but the solubiHty of both species declines as chain length increases. Thus, in a broa d-boiling mixture, solubiHties of paraffins and olefins overlap and separation becomes impossible. In contrast, the relative adsorption of olefins and paraffins from the Hquid phase on the adsorbent used commercially for this operation is shown in Figure 2. Not only is there selectivity between an olefin and paraffin of the same chain length, but also chain length has Httie effect on selectivity. Consequentiy, the complete separation of olefins from paraffins becomes possible. 

However, ia some cases, the answer is not clear. A variety of factors need to be taken iato consideration before a clear choice emerges. Eor example, UOP s Molex and IsoSiv processes are used to separate normal paraffins from non-normals and aromatics ia feedstocks containing C —C2Q hydrocarbons, and both processes use molecular sieve adsorbents. However, Molex operates ia simulated moving-bed mode ia Hquid phase, and IsoSiv operates ia gas phase, with temperature swiag desorption by a displacement fluid. The foUowiag comparison of UOP s Molex and IsoSiv processes iadicates some of the primary factors that are often used ia decision making ... 

Separation of Norma/ and Isoparaffins. The recovery of normal paraffins from mixed refinery streams was one of the first commercial appHcations of molecular sieves. Using Type 5A molecular sieve, the / -paraffins can be adsorbed and the branched and cycHc hydrocarbons rejected. During the adsorption step, the effluent contains isoparaffins. During the desorption step, the / -paraffins are recovered. Isothermal operation is typical. 

In the case of liquid/liquid interfaces we have the experiments of W. C. McC. Lewis (1908), who examined the relations at the surface of separation between an aqueous solution and paraffin oil or mercury. If o-, a are the surface tensions between paraffin oil and pure water and the solution, respectively, it was found that cr < [Pg.439]

FIG. 11 Production of linear olefins from linear paraffins. AC, adsorbent chamber EC, extract column GLS, gas-liquid separator H, heater Rx, reactor RC raffinate column ST, stripper column LE, light end. (From Ref. 10.)... 

Parex (2) [Paraffin extraction] A process for separating linear aliphatic hydrocarbons from branched-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons by means of a zeolite 5 A adsorbent. The products are desorbed with a mixture of steam and ammonia. Developed in the mid-1960s by Luena-Werke and Schwedt in East Germany and operated in East Germany, Bulgaria and the USSR. Broadly similar to Molex and not to be confused with Paiex (1). 

In this particular case, the adsorption process can be used to overcome the distillation limitation. This is demonstrated in Figure 6.2, which represents the relative adsorption of C5 and C(, Hnear, branched and cycHc paraffins from the liquid phase of the 5A adsorbent used in the HOP GasoHne Molex process, licensed by HOP. In this process, only Hnear paraffins can enter the pores of 5A zeolite, while branched and cyclic paraffins are completely excluded due to their large kinetic diameters. Also, the selectivity for Hnear paraffins with respect to other types of paraffins is infinite. Consequently, the separation of Hnear paraffins from branched and cyclic paraffins becomes possible. 

The coimnerdal liquid adsorptive separation process of Ciq-Ch -olefins from Cio-Ci4 n-paraffins is another unique example of how zeolite adsorption can be applied. As shown in Table 6.1, distillation is not an option to separate C10-C14 olefins from Ciq-Cu paraffins because of their close boiling points. In this case, the UOP Olex process using NaX adsorbent is used to separate Ciq-Cm olefins from Cio-Ci4 paraffins. 

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