U.S. patent application number 15/864730 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-11 for systems and methods for reducing the formation of impurities during 244bb dehydrochlorination to 1234yf.
The applicant listed for this patent is Honeywell International Inc.. Invention is credited to Gustavo Cerri, Yuon Chiu, Richard D. Horwath, Haluk Kopkalli, Daniel C. Merkel, Haiyou Wang, Terris Yang.
Application Number | 20190210944 15/864730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67140488 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190210944 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Haiyou ; et
al. |
July 11, 2019 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING THE FORMATION OF IMPURITIES DURING
244bb DEHYDROCHLORINATION TO 1234yf
Abstract
The present disclosure provides various manufacturing processes
for the production of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf or
1234yf). Such methods may allow for the improved yields, more
economical processes, and waste reduction in the production of
1234yf and subsequent processes.
Inventors: |
Wang; Haiyou; (Amherst,
NY) ; Yang; Terris; (East Amherst, NY) ;
Merkel; Daniel C.; (Orchard Park, NY) ; Kopkalli;
Haluk; (Staten Island, NY) ; Cerri; Gustavo;
(Parsippany, NJ) ; Chiu; Yuon; (Denville, NJ)
; Horwath; Richard D.; (Richmond, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honeywell International Inc. |
Morris Plains |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67140488 |
Appl. No.: |
15/864730 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07C 17/25 20130101;
C07C 17/25 20130101; C07C 17/386 20130101; C07C 17/383 20130101;
C07C 17/383 20130101; B01D 3/36 20130101; C07C 19/10 20130101; C07C
17/395 20130101; B01D 3/002 20130101; C07C 21/18 20130101; C07C
21/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07C 17/25 20060101
C07C017/25; C07C 17/386 20060101 C07C017/386; C07C 17/395 20060101
C07C017/395; C07C 21/18 20060101 C07C021/18; B01D 3/00 20060101
B01D003/00; B01D 3/36 20060101 B01D003/36 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
(HFO-1234yf) comprising: providing a feed comprising
2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and
1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane (HCFC-253fb); removing the
HCFC-253fb from the feed until the feed contains less than 200 ppm
of the HCFC-253fb; and dehydrochlorinating the HCFC-244bb in the
feed to form a product stream containing HFO-1234yf.
2. (canceled)
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing step comprises at
least one of distillation, partial vaporization, partial
condensing, or combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the removing step comprises
continuous distillation.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing the HCFC-253fb from
the feed is performed until the feed contains less than 100 ppm of
the HCFC-253fb.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the removing the HCFC-253fb from
the feed is performed until the feed contains less than 50 ppm of
the HCFC-253fb.
7. A method of manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
(HFO-1234yf) comprising: providing a feed comprising
2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb), HF, and
1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane (HCFC-253fb); separating the HF and
the HCFC-253fb; and dehydrochlorinating the HCFC-244bb in the feed
to form a product stream containing HFO-1234yf.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the separating step comprises
distillation.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the distillation is multistage
distillation.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the
HCFC-253fb is separated by taking a side draw from a distillation
column.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the distillation is continuous
distillation.
12. (canceled)
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the separating comprises at
least one of decanting, centrifuging, liquid-liquid extraction,
distilling, flash distilling, or combinations thereof.
14. The method of claim 7, wherein the separating step comprises
forming an azeotrope in a distillation column.
15. The method of claim 7, further comprising, after
dehydrochlorination, separating and recycling unreacted
HCFC-244bb.
16. (canceled)
17. A method of manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
(HFO-1234yf) comprising: providing a feed comprising
2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and
1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane (HCFC-253fb); dehydrochlorinating
the HCFC-244bb in the feed to form a product stream containing
HFO-1234yf; and controlling the formation of vinyl chloride (1140),
3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO-1243zf), or combinations thereof at or
below a predetermined threshold, wherein the controlling the
formation 1140, HFO-1243zf, or combinations thereof includes
removal of HCFC-253fb prior to the dehydrochlorinating step.
18. (canceled)
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined threshold is
about 300 ppm.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the removal of HCFC-253fb is
performed until the feed has less than 200 ppm of HCFC-253fb.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the formation of vinyl chloride
(1140) is controlled below 200 ppm.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein the formation of
3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO-1243zf) is controlled below 200
ppm.
23. The method of claim 3, wherein the distillation comprises
removal of the HCFC-244bb from a side-draw.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates to manufacturing methods and systems
for reducing the formation of impurities during the manufacture of
HFO-1234yf. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods
for reducing the formation of impurities during dehydrochlorination
of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb or 244bb) to
form 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf or 1234yf).
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), such as tetrafluoropropenes are
known effective refrigerants, fire extinguishants, heat transfer
media, propellants, foaming agents, blowing agents, gaseous
dielectrics, sterilant carriers, polymerization media, particulate
removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents,
displacement drying agents and power cycle working fluids. Due to
suspected environmental problems associated with the use of some of
these fluids, including the relatively high global warming
potentials associated therewith, it is desirable to use fluids
having the lowest possible global warming potential (GWP) in
addition to also having zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). Thus,
there is considerable interest in developing environmentally
friendlier materials for the applications mentioned above.
[0003] Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) having zero ozone depletion and
low global warming potential have been identified as potentially
filling this need. However, the toxicity, boiling point, and other
physical properties of such chemicals vary greatly from isomer to
isomer. One HFO having valuable properties is
2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf or 1234yf).
[0004] HFO-1234yf has been shown to be a low global warming
compound with low toxicity and, thus, can meet increasingly
stringent requirements for refrigerants in mobile air conditioning.
Accordingly, compositions containing HFO-1234yf are among the
materials being developed for use in many of the aforementioned
applications.
[0005] Various methods are known for producing HFO-1234yf, such as
those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,058,486, entitled INTEGRATED
PROCESS TO PRODUCE 2,3,3,3-TETRAFLUOROPROPENE issued on Nov. 15,
2011, U.S. Pat. No. 8,975,454, entitled PROCESS FOR PRODUCING
2,3,3,3-TETRAFLUOROPROPENE issued on Mar. 10, 2015, and U.S. Pat.
No. 8,766,020, entitled PROCESS FOR PRODUCING
2,3,3,3-TETRAFLUOROPROPENE issued on Jul. 1, 2014, all of which are
herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure provides various manufacturing
processes for the production of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
(HFO-1234yf or 1234yf). Such methods may allow for the improved
yields, more economical processes, and waste reduction in the
production of 1234yf and subsequent processes.
[0007] According to various aspects of this disclosure, methods of
manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) may include
providing a feed comprising 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane
(HCFC-244bb) and at least one heavy organic impurity having a
boiling point higher than about 15.degree. C., removing the at
least one impurity from the feed until the feed contains less than
200 ppm of the at least one impurity, and dehydrochlorinating the
HCFC-244bb in the feed to form a product stream containing
HFO-1234yf. In certain embodiments, it's preferable to remove the
at least one impurity from the feed until the feed contains less
than 100 ppm of the at least one impurity, and more preferable to
remove the at least one impurity from the feed until the feed
contains less than 50 ppm of the at least one impurity.
[0008] In some embodiments, the at least one impurity comprises at
least one of 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane (HCFC-253fb),
1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa), chlorohexafluorobutene
(HFO-1326 isomer), hexafluorobutene (HFO-1336 isomer),
pentafluorobutene (HFO-1345 isomer), heptafluorobutene (HFO-1327
isomer), 2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-234bb),
chlorotetrafluoropropenes (HCFO-1224 isomers), tetrafluorohexane
(HFC-5-11-4 isomer), tetrafluoropropane (HFC-254 isomer),
chlorohexafluorobutane (HFC-346 isomer), octafluoropentane (HFC-458
isomer), chlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1233 isomer),
(E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(E)),
2-chloro-1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-235da),
octafluorohexene, 3-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-244eb),
2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123),
(Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(Z)),
C.sub.5H.sub.2F.sub.10 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.2F.sub.8 isomer,
C.sub.6H.sub.4F.sub.8 isomer, decafluorobutane (C.sub.4F.sub.10),
C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.9 isomer,
dichlorodifluoropropene (HCFO-1232 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1223 isomers),
dichlorotetrafluoropropane (HCFC-234 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-243 isomer),
trichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-233 isomers),
C.sub.6H.sub.3Cl.sub.2F.sub.7 isomer, trichlorodifluoropropane
(HCFC-242 isomers), C.sub.8H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, tars, or
combinations thereof.
[0009] Various methods may further include treating the product
stream containing HFO-1234yf with at least one of a column
containing HCl, a column containing water, a column containing a
caustic solution, a scrubber, a dryer, a distillation column, or a
combination thereof.
[0010] Some methods of manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
(HFO-1234yf) may also include providing a feed comprising
2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and at least one
impurity, dehydrochlorinating the HCFC-244bb in the feed to form a
product stream containing HFO-1234yf, controlling the formation of
1140, 1243zf, or combinations thereof at or below a predetermined
threshold. In various embodiments, this may include removing
1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane (HCFC-253fb) before dehydrochlorinating
the HCFC-244bb in the feed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this
disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments of
the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a process flow diagram showing an exemplary
portion of a manufacturing process of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
(HFO-1234yf);
[0013] FIG. 1B is a process flow diagram similar to the process
flow depicted in FIG. 1A that additionally includes a third
distillation column in series;
[0014] FIG. 1C is a process flow diagram similar to the process
flow depicted in FIG. 1A showing an exemplary portion of a
manufacturing process of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf)
using a side-draw from a distillation column;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram depicting Step 3 of an
exemplary process of manufacturing HFO-1234yf;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of method of manufacture of
HFO-1234yf while controlling the formation of 1140, 1243zf, and
combinations thereof according to various embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a method of manufacture of HFO-1234yf
according to various embodiments; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating 244bb conversion data with
two different 244bb feed materials.
[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent
embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in
order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The
exemplification set out herein illustrates exemplary embodiments of
the disclosure, in various forms, and such exemplifications are not
to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any
manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] As briefly described above, this disclosure provides various
methods and systems for the manufacture of
2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf or 1234yf). The manufacture
of HFO-1234yf from 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (TCP) and hydrogen
fluoride can be generalized in a three step process.
[0021] Step 1 can be understood as producing
2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) from
1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (1230xa) in a vapor phase reactor
according to the following reaction scheme:
##STR00001##
[0022] Step 2 can be understood as producing
2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) from
2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) in a reactor, such as
a liquid phase reactor, according to the following reaction
scheme:
##STR00002##
[0023] Step 3 can be understood as producing
2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) from
2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) in a reactor, such
as a vapor phase reactor according to the following reaction
scheme:
##STR00003##
[0024] Not wishing to be bound by or to any particular theory of
operation, certain aspects of the present invention are based on
the observation and understanding that, during certain
dehydrochlorination reactions of certain dehydrochlorination
starting materials, such as 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane
(HCFC-244bb) to produce 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf)
according to Step 3 above, the presence of certain impurities has
been found to be detrimental and disadvantageous.
[0025] For example, the presence of 3-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane
(HCFC-253fb or 253fb) in the reactor for Step 3 may result in the
formation and/or presence of elevated levels of both
3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO-1243zf or 1243zf) and vinyl chloride
(1140), which may be subsequently found in 1234yf crude product.
The presence of the 1243zf and 1140 impurities can result in extra
yield loss during final purification steps and is thus undesired
due to the difficulty of separating 1243zf and 1140 from
1234yf.
[0026] Also, the presence of high boilers and tars (which are
long-chain halogenated hydrocarbons) formed as side-reactions in
the reactor of Step 3 appears to either cause excessive coking of
the Step 3 reactor or contribute to it, resulting in premature
deactivation of the reactor. Non-limiting examples of high boilers
include, but are not limited to, C.sub.4F.sub.10,
C.sub.5H.sub.2F.sub.10 isomers, various tetrafluorohexane isomers,
C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomers, C.sub.6H.sub.3Cl.sub.2F.sub.7
isomers, C.sub.6H.sub.2F.sub.8 isomers, C.sub.6H.sub.4F.sub.8
isomers, C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.9 isomers, various octafluorohexene
isomers, and C.sub.8H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomers. These high boilers may
further react to form tar, which can be condensed to form a dark
brown or black viscous liquid upon cooling.
[0027] Thus, for the feed to the Step 3 reactors, the reduction of
certain impurities and/or reduction and separations of tars, high
boilers, and precursors of these materials may allow for a more
economical process, improved uptime, higher yield, and may allow
for the improved use of the metallic surface of the reactor. In
turn, this may also allow for the process to run at milder
conditions, which may also help prevent the production of
undesirable byproducts.
[0028] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be
exhaustive or limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed in
the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are
chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize
their teachings.
[0029] As used herein, the modifier "about" used in connection with
a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning
dictated by the context (for example, it includes at least the
degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular
quantity). When used in the context of a range, the modifier
"about" should also be considered as disclosing the range defined
by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range
"from about 2 to about 4" also discloses the range "from 2 to
4."
[0030] FIG. 1A is process flow diagram illustrating exemplary
manufacturing process flow 1 according to various embodiments. HF
feed 5 and 1233xf feed 3 (from Step 1) may be combined, for
example, with any pipe or vessel, such as combination flow valves
28 and may be heated by heat exchangers 24 and then fed as stream 7
to reactor 2. In reactor 2, which may be and is shown in FIG. 1A as
a liquid phase reactor, HCFC-244bb is produced as briefly described
above as Step 2. After the reaction of Step 2 takes place in
reactor 2, the crude HCFC-244bb product stream 9 is sent to
catalyst stripper column 4, where catalysts are separated and are
returned to reactor 2 in return stream 18. After processing in
catalyst stripper column 4 and heat exchanger 22, the stripped
crude HCFC-244bb product stream 11 is sent to lights distillation
column 6. In lights distillation column, the light boilers are
distilled off as lights overhead stream 13, while the lights
bottoms stream 15 may be cooled by heat exchanger 16 and may be
sent to phase separator 8 via stream 24, where HF is separated from
the lights bottoms stream 15, which contains HCFC-244bb. The HF
phase may then be recycled back to the Step 2 reactor as recycle HF
stream 19 and the liquid stream 17 containing HCFC-244bb may be
sent to one or more distillation columns.
[0031] FIG. 1A illustrates liquid stream 17 being sent first to
distillation column 10, which in this embodiment is exemplified as
an azeotropic distillation column. In other embodiments,
distillation column 10 may include non-azeoptropic
distillation.
[0032] In azeotropic distillation column 10, HCFO-1233xf may be
removed from the HCFC-244bb liquid stream using azeotropic
distillation. As used herein, the term azeotropic distillation is
used in the broad sense to include distillation processes that
include one or more azeotrope or azeotrope-like mixtures of two or
more fluids. To this end, a third stream, such as unreacted
reagents and/or byproducts from Step 3, may be provided by recycle
stream 29 to form an azeotrope or azeotropic composition, which is
then isolated from the composition. More specifically, the presence
of a third component (e.g., HF) may form a ternary azeotrope and/or
binary azeotropes with HCFO-1233xf, and/or HCFC-244bb. Various
azeotropes may be separated from the solution using standard
separation means, such as distillation in azeotropic distillation
column 10, such that a significant portion of the HCFC-244bb
remains in solution in bottoms 21.
[0033] In various embodiments of this disclosure, a composition
which comprises effective amounts of HF, light organics, heavy
organics, or combinations thereof to form an azeotropic or
azeotrope-like composition is provided. As used herein, the term
"effective amount" is an amount of each component which, when
combined with the other component, results in the formation of an
azeotrope or azeotrope-like mixture. As used herein, the terms
"heteroazeotrope" and "heterogeneous azeotrope" include an
azeotrope-like compositions comprising a vapor phase existing
concurrently with two liquid phases.
[0034] Such azeotropes and methods of azeotropic separation or
distillation may further include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
7,803,283, and U.S. Published Application Nos. 2010/0187088 and
2009/0256110, the contents of each of which are all incorporated
herein by reference.
[0035] Azeotropic column bottoms 21 may then be isolated as
purified HCFC-244bb in heavies distillation column 12 that may be
substantially free of 253fb, and other heavy impurities, shown as
purified overhead HCFC-244bb stream 27, which may be sent for
further processing (e.g., Step 3) and/or stored in tank 60.
Overhead stream 23 from column may then be recycled back to be
reused in Step 2 in reactor 2 and may be combined with feed stream
7, for example, with a pipe or vessel, such as with combination
flow valves 28.
[0036] Finally, bottoms 25 of heavies distillation column 12, which
may contain enriched 253fb as well as tars and/or other heavy
boilers, may then be collected, subjected to additional recovery to
improve yield and/or disposed of. As used herein, the term "heavy
boilers" may include organic compositions that have a boiling point
higher than 244bb, which has a normal boiling point of about
14-15.degree. C. For example, in some embodiments, heavy organics
may have a boiling point above about 15.degree. C. Heavy organics
may include HCFC-253fb, C.sub.4F.sub.10, C.sub.5H.sub.2F.sub.10
isomers, various tetrafluorohexane isomers, C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.7
isomers, C.sub.6H.sub.3Cl.sub.2F.sub.7 isomers,
C.sub.6H.sub.2F.sub.8 isomers, C.sub.6H.sub.4F.sub.8 isomers,
C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.9 isomers, various octafluorohexene isomers,
CH.sub.3F.sub.7 isomers, tars, or combinations thereof.
[0037] Thus, in some embodiments, such as the process flow diagram
depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the impurities removed may include at
least one of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane (HCFC-253fb),
1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa), chlorohexafluorobutene
(HFO-1326 isomer), hexafluorobutene (HFO-1336 isomer),
pentafluorobutene (HFO-1345 isomer), heptafluorobutene (HFO-1327
isomer), 2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-234bb),
chlorotetrafluoropropenes (HCFO-1224 isomers), tetrafluorohexane
(HFC-5-11-4 isomer), tetrafluoropropane (HFC-254 isomer),
chlorohexafluorobutane (HFC-346 isomer), octafluoropentane (HFC-458
isomer), chlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1233 isomer),
(E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(E)),
2-chloro-1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-235da),
octafluorohexene, 3-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-244eb),
2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123),
(Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(Z)),
C.sub.5H.sub.2F.sub.10 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.2F.sub.8 isomer,
C.sub.6H.sub.4F.sub.8 isomer, decafluorobutane (C.sub.4F.sub.10),
C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.9 isomer,
dichlorodifluoropropene (HCFO-1232 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1223 isomers),
dichlorotetrafluoropropane (HCFC-234 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-243 isomer),
trichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-233 isomers),
C.sub.6H.sub.3Cl.sub.2F.sub.7 isomer, trichlorodifluoropropane
(HCFC-242 isomers), C.sub.8H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, tars, or
combinations thereof.
[0038] In some embodiments, such as process flow 30 depicted in
FIG. 1B, which includes many aspects which are similar or identical
to that of FIG. 1A, bottoms 25 of heavies distillation column 12
may be further separated, such as with distillation column 32. In
some embodiments, heavies recovery distillation column 32 may
further separate the high-boilers and tar from heavies distillation
column 12 into overhead 33 and bottoms 35. In various embodiments,
heavies recovery distillation column 32 may operate by batch
distillation and in other embodiments, distillation column 32 may
operate by continuous distillation. Also, in some embodiments, the
purified 244bb or partially purified 244bb may be stored in a
storage container, such as storage container 60.
[0039] In some embodiments, such as process flow 40 depicted in
FIG. 1C, which includes many aspects which are similar or identical
to that of FIG. 1A, illustrates the separation of purified 244bb
using a side-draw 47 off of distillation column 10. In some
embodiments, the use of a side-draw may be beneficial due to the
separation differences within the various trays of distillation
column 10 due to the vapor pressure differences between the
high-boilers and tar and the purified 244bb.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates process flow diagram 70 showing the
production of 1234yf from a feed containing a purified 244bb and at
least one impurity. Process flow diagram 70 of FIG. 2 includes an
input stream 27 containing HCFC-244bb, which may contain the at
least one of the aforementioned impurities, as exemplified in the
description of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0041] The composition containing HCFC-244bb and at least one of
the aforementioned impurities may then be heated by heat exchanger
24 and sent to dehydrochlorinating reactor 72 to produce 1234yf
(Step 3 as briefly described above). The reacted product stream 75
containing the 1234yf may then be sent to recycle column 62, where
bottoms 63 may be recycled back to reactor 72 and/or back to Step 2
azeotropic distillation column 10 as stream no. 29 in FIG. 1A and
FIG. 1B, and overhead 65 may be sent to be scrubbed with HCl stream
67 in HCl column 64. The HCl scrubbed stream 69 may then scrubbed
with solution stream 77 in scrubber 74. The solution stream 77 is
not particularly limited and may be water or a solution, such as a
caustic solution or an acidic solution, such as a solution
containing sulfuric acid. The scrubbed product stream 79 may then
be sent to drier 76 containing an acid, such as concentrated
sulfuric acid or a solid desiccant or mixture of solid desiccants
or a combination of concentrated sulfuric acid and desiccant(s) to
remove any scrubbing solution/moisture that may remain. A
precooling step may be incorporated between scrubber 74 and drier
76 to differentially condense water vapors to conserve drying agent
in dryer 76.
[0042] The dried product stream 81 may then be distilled in lights
distillation column 78, where overhead lights stream 83 is passed
through heat exchanger 22 and recycled or removed. Lights bottoms
stream 85 may be heated or cooled via heat exchanger 26 and may be
further distilled in product distillation column 80. Purified
1234yf stream 87 may be processed through heat exchanger 22 and may
be stored in container 82 and/or recycled. Product bottoms stream
29 may be heated with heat exchanger 26 and may be recycled back
into product distillation column 80 and/or may be removed for
disposal.
[0043] In some embodiments, the formation of 1140, 1243zf, or
combinations thereof may be controlled below a predetermined
threshold, for example in the effluent of the reactor in Step 3
(shown as dehydrochlorinating reactor 72 in FIG. 2). In various
embodiments, the formation of 1140, 1243zf, and combinations
thereof may be controlled by the selective removal of their
precursors, such as 253fb.
[0044] Without being limited to any particular theory, it is
believed that increased amounts of 253fb may lead to increased
amounts of 1243zf, 1140, and combinations thereof, including other
side reactants. It has been found that increased levels of 253fb
can lead to increased undesirable side reactions that can
negatively affect yield, such as the formation of 1140 and 1243zf
according to the following reaction Schemes I and II:
##STR00004##
##STR00005##
[0045] Thus, in various embodiments the amount of 1243zf, 1140, and
combinations thereof may be controlled to be below a predetermined
threshold. For example, limiting the amount of HCFC-253fb with any
of the aforementioned separation processes, such as distillation
may help to control the amount of HFO-1243zf and 1140 produced. For
example, in some embodiments, HCFC-253fb may be removed via
distillation or a series of distillation, such as is shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B.
[0046] For example, in some embodiments, the amount of HCFC-253fb
may be reduced to levels below about 200 ppm, to levels below about
100 ppm, to levels below about 50 ppm, or to levels below about 30
ppm. This in turn, may help to limit the formation of HFO-1243zf
and 1140 because the precursor to these aforementioned compounds
(as shown in Schemes I and II) is not available.
[0047] For example, in some embodiments, by limiting the presence
of HCFC-253fb, the formation of 1140 may be controlled to an amount
less than about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about
50 ppm, or less than about 30 ppm.
[0048] Similarly, in some embodiments, the formation of 1243zf may
also be controlled by limiting the presence of HCFC-253fb. Thus,
the formation of HFO-1243zf controlled to (minimized to) levels of
less than about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about
80 ppm, or less than about 50 ppm.
[0049] Also, in some embodiments the combination of 1140 and 1243zf
may be controlled to an amount less than about 300 ppm, less than
about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, or less than 80 ppm. For
example, in various embodiments, controlling the formation of 1140
and 1243zf can be accomplished by removal of 253fb prior to
performing Step 3, for example, by removing 253fb in the feed
stream to Step 3 so the feed stream has an amount of 253fb less
than about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 50
ppm, or less than 30 ppm.
[0050] Thus, methods of manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
may include the methods depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3
illustrates method 101 of manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,
which may include providing a feed comprising 244bb and at least
one impurity (step 110), removing the at least one impurity from
the feed until the feed contains less than a predetermined
threshold (e.g., less than about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm,
less than about 50 ppm, and less than about 30 ppm) of the at least
one impurity (step 120), and dehydrochlorinating the 244bb in the
feed to form a product stream containing 1234yf (step 130).
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates another method of manufacturing
2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene according to various embodiments. Method
301 may include steps 110 and steps 130 as described above. Method
301 may also include the step of controlling the formation of
1243zf, 1140, or combinations thereof below a predetermined
threshold (step 140). In various embodiments, this may be
accomplished through the removal of 253fb to a predetermined
threshold.
[0052] Dehydrochlorination of HCFC-244bb may be carried out at a
temperature range of 200.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., preferably
from 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C., and more preferably from
425.degree. C. to 525.degree. C., and at a pressure range of 0 to
300 psig, preferably from 5 to 200 psig, and more preferably from
20 to 100 psig. Residence time of the HCFC-244bb in reactor may
range from about 1 second to about 320 seconds, however, longer or
shorter times can be used.
[0053] As described above and shown in the various process flow
diagrams, the removing of the at least one impurity may include the
use of one or more various separation processes or manufacture
processes. Exemplary processes include decanting, centrifuging,
liquid-liquid extraction, distilling, flash distilling, partial
vaporization, partial condensing, or combinations thereof. The
separation processes may be performed on a continuous or batch
process, for example in a multi-stage distillation tower which may
be operated in batch or continuous mode. In some embodiments, the
separation of the impurity can be accomplished with a side draw
from the distillation column.
[0054] In some embodiments, the product stream containing 1234yf
may be further processed. For example, in some embodiments some
separated streams or further processed streams may be recycled to
improve the overall yield of the process. For example, in some
embodiments, unreacted 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane may be
recycled after dehydrochlorination by using a recycle column.
[0055] The further processing is not particularly limited and may
include various treatments with multiple unit operations, such as
an HCl recovery column, a caustic scrubber, a sulfuric acid drying
column, and product purification columns, etc.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0056] The goal of the examples below was to demonstrate the
feasibility of removing 253fb and other high boilers from 244bb
crude product. Batch distillation was run in 15 tray glass
Oldershaw batch column at a RR (Reflux Ratio) of 1:1. About 3.8
lbs. of 244bb crude was charged to the glass still. Four distillate
cuts were taken during distillation and a dark, almost black
residue remained in the reboiler after distillation. As shown in
Table 1, compared to those in initial 244bb crude, 253fb and other
heavy components get significantly reduced in distillates while
they got enriched in reboiler (Compared to 145 ppm 253fb in initial
244bb crude, Cuts 1-3 contained less than 5 ppm of 253fb, Cut 4
contained 89.0 ppm 253fb, while the reboiler residue had 9551 ppm
253fb; compared to about 1.25% other heavy components, Cuts 1-3
contained less than 0.65% of other heavy components, Cut 4
contained about 1.23% other heavy components, while the reboiler
residue had 21.66% other heavy components). These results indicate
253fb and other heavy components can be effectively reduced via
distillation.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Organic composition, GC area % Weight, Other
Other Description g lights 1233xf 244bb 253fb heavies 244bb crude
1747.9 0.0302 0.8229 97.8814 0.0145 1.251 Cut no. 1 468.5 0.0217
0.9415 98.6046 0.0001 0.431 Cut no. 2 370.4 0.0155 0.8817 98.5612
0.0003 0.5413 Cut no. 3 343.1 0.0166 0.8210 98.5187 0.0003 0.6434
Cut no. 4 437.1 0.0287 0.6708 98.0584 0.0089 1.2332 Residue 22.5
0.3007 0.3500 76.7347 0.9551 21.6595
[0057] In table 1 above, the "other lights" refer to components
having boiling points lower than that of 244bb that does not
include 1233xf (for example, non-limiting examples include
tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234 isomers, pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225
isomers), heptafluorobutenes, and
2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124)).
[0058] In Table 1 above, the "other heavies" refers to components
having boiling points higher than that of 244bb besides 253fb
(non-limiting examples include 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane
(HFC-245fa), chlorohexafluorobutene (HFO-1326 isomer),
hexafluorobutene (HFO-1336 isomer), pentafluorobutene (HFO-1345
isomer), heptafluorobutene (HFO-1327 isomer),
2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-234bb),
chlorotetrafluoropropenes (HCFO-1224 isomers), tetrafluorohexane
(HFC-5-11-4 isomer), tetrafluoropropane (HFC-254 isomer),
chlorohexafluorobutane (HFC-346 isomer), octafluoropentane (HFC-458
isomer), chlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1233 isomer),
(E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(E)),
2-chloro-1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-235da),
octafluorohexene, 3-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-244eb),
2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123),
(Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(Z)),
C.sub.5H.sub.2F.sub.10 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.2F.sub.8 isomer,
C.sub.6H.sub.4F.sub.8 isomer, decafluorobutane (C.sub.4F.sub.10),
C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.9 isomer,
dichlorodifluoropropene (HCFO-1232 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1223 isomers),
dichlorotetrafluoropropane (HCFC-234 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-243 isomer),
trichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-233 isomers),
C.sub.6H.sub.3Cl.sub.2F.sub.7 isomer, trichlorodifluoropropane
(HCFC-242 isomers), C.sub.8H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, and tars).
Example 2
[0059] The goal of the examples below was to demonstrate the
feasibility of removing high boilers from 244bb crude product.
Batch distillation was run in a distillation column consisting of a
10 gallon jacketed reboiler, 2 inch ID by 8 feet high column packed
with Monel Pro-Pak.RTM. column packing, and a shell and tube
condenser. The column had about 35-40 theoretical plates. The
distillation column was equipped with temperature, pressure, and
differential pressure transmitters. The distillate rate was
measured using a coriolis flow meter.
[0060] About 98 lbs. of 244bb crude was charged to the S1
distillation column. Its composition is presented in Table 2. The
distillation was then started and run at a pressure of about 12-15
psig. 92 lbs. of purified 244bb distillate was collected. The 244bb
distillate was analyzed and its composition is presented in Table
2. As shown in Table 2, 253fb was completely removed after
distillation while the total amount of other heavy components was
significantly reduced.
[0061] About 3 lbs. of black reboiler residue was drained from the
reboiler after the completion of distillation. The 92 lbs. of
purified 244bb distillate was subsequently used as the feed stock
for dehydrochlorination reaction experiments.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Organic composition, GC area % Weight, Other
Other Description lb. lights 1233xf 244bb 253fb heavies 244bb crude
98 1.3474 2.8190 94.6978 0.1100 1.0258 244bb distillate 92 0.9698
2.8991 95.6815 0.0000 0.4496
[0062] In Table 2 above, the "other lights" refers to components
having boiling points lower than that of 244bb besides 1233xf
(non-limiting examples include tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234
isomers, pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225 isomers), heptafluorobutenes,
and 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124)).
[0063] In Table 2 above, the "other heavies" refers to components
having boiling points higher than that of 244bb besides 253fb
(non-limiting examples include 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane
(HFC-245fa), chlorohexafluorobutene (HFO-1326 isomer),
hexafluorobutene (HFO-1336 isomer), pentafluorobutene (HFO-1345
isomer), heptafluorobutene (HFO-1327 isomer),
2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-234bb),
chlorotetrafluoropropenes (HCFO-1224 isomers), tetrafluorohexane
(HFC-5-11-4 isomer), tetrafluoropropane (HFC-254 isomer),
chlorohexafluorobutane (HFC-346 isomer), octafluoropentane (HFC-458
isomer), chlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1233 isomer),
(E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(E)),
2-chloro-1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-235da),
octafluorohexene, 3-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-244eb),
2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123),
(Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd(Z)),
C.sub.5H.sub.2F.sub.10 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.2F.sub.8 isomer,
C.sub.6H.sub.4F.sub.8 isomer, decafluorobutane (C.sub.4F.sub.10),
C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.9 isomer,
dichlorodifluoropropene (HCFO-1232 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropene (HCFO-1223 isomers),
dichlorotetrafluoropropane (HCFC-234 isomers),
dichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-243 isomer),
trichlorotrifluoropropane (HCFC-233 isomers),
C.sub.6H.sub.3Cl.sub.2F.sub.7 isomer, trichlorodifluoropropane
(HCFC-242 isomers), C.sub.8H.sub.3F.sub.7 isomer, and tars).
Example 3
[0064] Two 11.5'' Inconel.RTM. 625 tubes (3/4'' OD with 0.035''
wall thickness) were used as the reactor for Step 3 reaction
(Dehydrochlorination of HCFC-244bb to produce HFO-1234yf) and
installed in parallel in an electric box oven. With N.sub.2 purge,
the tube reactors were heated to a given temperature, then starting
materials containing HCFC-244bb and other impurities were fed into
each tube reactor with each feed controlled independently by a mass
flowmeter and a controller. The individual reactor pressure was
controlled independently by a pressure control system including a
pressure transducer and a control valve. The effluents of both
reactors were routed to a scrubber containing 10% KOH solution to
neutralize HCl generated in the process. Samples were taken
periodically using a sample bag containing certain amount of
de-ionized H.sub.2O from the sample port before the crude product
reached the scrubber solution.
[0065] In one reactor, the un-distilled 244bb crude, which had the
same composition as 244bb crude of Example 2 (see Table 2 for its
composition) was used as the starting material.
[0066] In the other reactor, the distilled 244bb, which was the
244bb distillate from Example 2 (see Table 2 for its composition)
was used as the starting material.
[0067] Both reactors were running at same reaction conditions
(480.degree. C., 70 psig with 43 g/h of feed rate equivalent to 80
seconds of residence time), with 244bb conversion data shown in
FIG. 5.
[0068] The reactor with crude 244bb as the starting material
experienced significant outlet pluggage after 24 hours of
operation. By visual observation, the reactor outlet was packed
with tar-like black solids. The outlet was plugged again after
tar-like material was cleared and 8 hours after the reaction was
restarted. The third pluggage was observed after tar-like material
was cleared and 16 hours after the reaction was restarted. 244bb
conversion was very low and unstable using crude 244bb as the
starting material. On the other hand, the reactor run with
distilled 244bb as the staring material was able to maintain high
and stable activity without any operation issues after the
induction period. In addition, with the crude 244bb as the starting
material, the normalized HFO-1243zf and 1140 concentrations in the
reactor effluent were 159 ppm and 247 ppm, respectively. With the
distilled 244bb as the starting material, the average normalized
HFO-1243zf and HCC-1140 concentrations in the reactor effluent were
75 ppm and 30 ppm, respectively.
Example 4
[0069] The distilled 244bb as described in Example 2 was fed into
one of the reactors as described in Example 3 at 465.degree. C., 70
psig with 21.5 g/h feed rate (equivalent to 164 seconds of
residence time). By GC analysis, the average normalized HFO-1243zf
and HCC-1140 concentrations in the reactor effluent were 56 ppm and
38 ppm, respectively.
Example 5
[0070] The distilled 244bb as described in Example 2 was fed into
one of the reactors as described in Example 3 at 465.degree. C., 70
psig with 43 g/h feed rate (equivalent to 82 seconds of residence
time). By GC analysis, the average normalized HFO-1243zf and
HCC-1140 concentrations in the reactor effluent were 71 ppm and 27
ppm, respectively.
Example 6
[0071] The distilled 244bb as described in Example 2 was fed into
one of the reactors as described in Example 3 at 480.degree. C., 70
psig with 21.5 g/h feed rate (equivalent to 161 seconds of
residence time). By GC analysis, the average normalized HFO-1243zf
and HCC-1140 concentrations in the reactor effluent were 59 ppm and
98 ppm, respectively.
Example 7
[0072] The distilled 244bb as described in Example 2 was fed into
one of the reactors as described above in Example 3 at 480.degree.
C., 58 psig with 43 g/h feed rate (equivalent to 69 seconds of
residence time). By GC analysis, the average normalized HFO-1243zf
and HCC-1140 concentrations in the reactor effluent were 68 ppm and
21 ppm, respectively.
Example 8
[0073] Under the same reaction conditions as described in Example
3, a starting material containing 27 ppm HFC-253fb, 98.46% 244bb
and 0.84% 1233xf was fed into one of the reactors. By GC analysis,
the average normalized HFO-1243zf and HCC-1140 concentrations in
the reactor effluent were 63 ppm and 42 ppm, respectively.
Example 9
[0074] Under the same reaction conditions as described in Example
3, a starting material containing 41 ppm HFC-253fb, 98.42% 244bb
and 0.85% 1233xf was fed into one of the reactors. By GC analysis,
the average normalized HFO-1243zf and HCC-1140 concentrations in
the reactor effluent were 78 ppm and 44 ppm, respectively.
Example 10
[0075] Under the same reaction conditions as described in Example
3, a starting material containing 53 ppm HFC-253fb, 97.32% 244bb
and 1.47% 1233xf was fed into one of the reactors. By GC analysis,
the average normalized HFO-1243zf and HCC-1140 concentrations in
the reactor effluent were 120 ppm and 165 ppm, respectively.
Example 11
[0076] Under the same reaction conditions as described in Example
3, a starting material from the plant (after Heavies were removed
by distillation) containing 14 ppm HFC-253fb, 98.59% 244bb and
1.03% 1233xf was fed into one of the reactors. By GC analysis, the
average normalized HFO-1243zf and HCC-1140 concentrations in the
reactor effluent were 48 ppm and 23 ppm, respectively.
[0077] While this disclosure has been described as having an
exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this disclosure pertains.
[0078] Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various
figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary
functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the
various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or
additional functional relationships or physical connections may be
present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages,
solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit,
advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not
to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or
elements. The scope is accordingly to be limited by nothing other
than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the
singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless
explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." Moreover, where a
phrase similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" is used in the
claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that
A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in
an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any
combination of the elements A, B or C may be present in a single
embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and
C.
[0079] In the detailed description herein, references to "one
embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc.,
indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not
necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily
referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection
with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge
of one skilled in the art with the benefit of the present
disclosure to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly
described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to
one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure
in alternative embodiments.
[0080] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the
present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be
construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f), unless
the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." As
used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other
variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion,
such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements does not include only those elements but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, method, article, or apparatus.
* * * * *