EP4452912A1 - Procédé de production et de purification du trifluoroéthylène - Google Patents
Procédé de production et de purification du trifluoroéthylèneInfo
- Publication number
- EP4452912A1 EP4452912A1 EP22840803.5A EP22840803A EP4452912A1 EP 4452912 A1 EP4452912 A1 EP 4452912A1 EP 22840803 A EP22840803 A EP 22840803A EP 4452912 A1 EP4452912 A1 EP 4452912A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- membrane
- trifluoroethylene
- stream
- hydrogen
- permeability
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D71/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by the material; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
- B01D71/06—Organic material
- B01D71/26—Polyalkenes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C17/00—Preparation of halogenated hydrocarbons
- C07C17/38—Separation; Purification; Stabilisation; Use of additives
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
- B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D71/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by the material; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
- B01D71/06—Organic material
- B01D71/70—Polymers having silicon in the main chain, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen or carbon only
- B01D71/701—Polydimethylsiloxane
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a process for the production and purification of hydrofluoroolefins.
- the present invention relates to a process for the production of trifluoroethylene (VF3) and the purification thereof.
- VF3 trifluoroethylene
- Fluorinated olefins such as VF3, are known and are used as monomers or comonomers for the manufacture of fluorocarbon polymers having remarkable characteristics, in particular excellent chemical behavior and good heat resistance.
- Trifluoroethylene is a gas under normal conditions of pressure and temperature. The main risks associated with the use of this product concern its flammability, its propensity for self-polymerization when it is not stabilized, its explosiveness due to its chemical instability and its supposed sensitivity to peroxidation, by analogy with other halogenated olefins. Trifluoroethylene has the particularity of being extremely flammable, with a lower explosive limit (LEL) of approximately 10% and an upper explosive limit (UEL) of approximately 30%. The major danger, however, is associated with the propensity of VF3 to decompose violently and explosively under certain pressure conditions in the presence of an energy source, even in the absence of oxygen.
- LEL lower explosive limit
- UEL upper explosive limit
- VF3 VF3 ⁇ VF3 ⁇ VF3 ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇
- the present invention relates to a method for purifying a fluorocarbon from a mixture comprising said fluorocarbon and hydrogen; said method comprising a step (a) of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M1 to form a flow F1 comprising the fluorocarbon and a flow F2 comprising hydrogen.
- the present invention allows the implementation of a more efficient and more environmentally friendly process. Indeed, the use of a membrane as described in the present application has advantages of efficiency, compatibility with the environment taking into account the elimination of the absorption solvent usually used to separate a fluorocarbon from hydrogen . The present invention also has advantages in terms of production cost (absence of treatment of the used solvent) and simplification of the process.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polyaramide, polyamide, polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene and tetrafluoroethylene/perfluorovinylether copolymer optionally substituted with an SO3H group.
- the fluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, fluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1, 2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 2-chloro-l,l, 2- trifluoroethane, l-chloro-l,l,2-trifluoroethane, 2-chloro-l,l,l-trifluoroethane, 3,3,3- trifluoropropene, hexafluoropropene, 1,1,
- said fluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane,
- 1.1.2.2-tetrafluoroethane 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, 2-chloro-l,l,2-trifluoroethane, l-chloro-l,l,2-trifluoroethane, 2-chloro-l,l,l-trifluoroethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1- chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 2- chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane,
- said fluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2, 2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1, 1,1,2,2- pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene, 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 3, 3,3-trifluoropropene
- said M1 membrane has a selectivity greater than 5; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of said fluorocarbon through said membrane M1.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)], poly(phenylene oxide), polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose and polyimide.
- said mixture and said stream F1 also comprise nitrogen; said method comprising a step (b) of bringing said stream F1 into contact with a membrane M1' to form a stream F3 comprising said fluorocarbon and a stream F4 comprising nitrogen.
- said membrane M1' is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, or polyalkylsiloxane.
- the present invention provides a method for separating a mixture comprising a hydrofluoroolefin and nitrogen; said method comprising a step of bringing said mixture into contact with an M3 membrane to form an F7 stream comprising said hydrofluoroolefin and an F8 stream comprising nitrogen; said membrane M3 is made of a material containing a siloxane functional group.
- said membrane M3 is made of a material containing a functional group of formula -[-(R)(R')Si-O] n - with R and R' independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C6-C12 aryl; and n being an integer greater than 50, preferably greater than 100, in particular greater than 1000.
- said membrane M3 is made of polyalkylsiloxane.
- said membrane M3 is made of polydimethylsiloxane.
- said hydrofluoroolefin is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, hexafluoropropene, 1,1,3,3, 3-pentafluoropropene,
- said hydrofluoroolefin is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,3,3,3- tetrafluoropropene, hexafluoropropene, 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene.
- the present invention provides a method for separating a mixture comprising a hydrofluoroalkane and nitrogen; said method comprising a step of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M3' to form a flux F7' comprising said hydrofluoroalkane and an F8' stream comprising nitrogen; said membrane M3' being made of polyolefin.
- said membrane M3' is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polyhexene, polypentene and polybutene.
- said hydrofluoroalkane is selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1, 1,3, 3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene.
- the present invention provides a process for producing trifluoroethylene in a reactor equipped with a fixed catalytic bed comprising a catalyst, said process comprising a step A) of reacting chlorotrifluoroethylene with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst and in the gas phase to produce a stream comprising unreacted trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and hydrogen; and a step B) of bringing a stream comprising trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen into contact with a membrane M2 to form a stream F5 comprising trifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen; and a stream F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen.
- said membrane M2 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, cellulose or polyvinylidene fluoride.
- said membrane M2 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide) or polyimide or cellulose acetate.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 9; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through said membrane M2; and said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 20; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 is made of polypropylene or polymethylpentene. According to another preferred embodiment, said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 100; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene through said membrane M2; and said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 is made of polyimide or cellulose acetate.
- said catalyst comprises from 0.01% to 5% by weight of palladium supported on alumina, preferably the alumina comprises at least 90% alpha alumina.
- said step A) is implemented at a temperature of the fixed catalytic bed of between 50°C and 250°C.
- step B) is carried out at a temperature of 0°C to 150°C, advantageously from 0°C to 125°C, preferably from 5°C to 100°C.
- the present invention also provides a process for separating a mixture comprising trifluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene; said method comprising a step of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M2 to form a flux F5 comprising trifluoroethylene and a flux F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene; said membrane M2 being made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, cellulose or polyvinylidene fluoride.
- said membrane M2 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide) or polyimide or cellulose acetate.
- the present invention provides a process for separating a mixture comprising trifluoroethylene and a hydrofluorocarbon; said method comprising a step of bringing said mixture into contact with an M4 membrane to form an F9 flux comprising trifluoroethylene and an F10 flux comprising said hydrofluorocarbon.
- said membrane M4 being made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polyaramid, polyamide, polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene or tetrafluoroethylene/perfluorovinylether copolymer optionally substituted with an SO3H group.
- said membrane M4 is chosen from a film, a laminated structure, hollow fibers and coated fibers.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide and cellulose.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly [oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly (phenylene oxide).
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or polymethylpentene.
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2- difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane, 1,1, 1,2, 3- pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3- pentafluoropropane and 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane.
- hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2- difluoroethane, 1,
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1, 1,2-trifluoroethane.
- said membrane M4 has a selectivity greater than 10, advantageously greater than 15, preferably greater than 20, more preferably greater than 25, in particular greater than 30; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of said hydrofluoroalkane through said membrane M4.
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide).
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane
- said membrane M4 is of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or polymethylpentene, preferably polymethylpentene.
- the present invention also provides a process for the production of trifluoroethylene comprising a step Al) of dehydrofluorination of 1,1, 1,2-tetrafluoroethane or a reaction step between chlorodifluoromethane and chlorofluoromethane to form a stream comprising trifluoroethylene and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; and a step B1) of separating a stream comprising trifluoroethylene and a hydrofluorocarbon according to the fifth aspect of the present invention with a membrane M4 to form a stream F9' comprising trifluoroethylene and a stream F10' comprising said hydrofluorocarbon.
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide).
- said hydrofluorocarbon is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and said M4 membrane is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2 ,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide).
- the present invention relates to a method for purifying a fluorocarbon from a mixture comprising said fluorocarbon and hydrogen.
- Said method comprises a step (a) of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M1 to form a stream F1 comprising the fluorocarbon and a stream F2 comprising the hydrogen.
- said mixture comprises a molar H2 content of less than 50%, preferably less than 25% based on the total amount in moles of the mixture.
- said mixture comprises a molar content of H2 greater than 1%, preferably greater than 5%, in particular greater than 10% based on the total quantity in mole of the mixture.
- said mixture is in gaseous form.
- said present method thus makes it possible to produce a flux F1 enriched in fluorocarbon with respect to the initial mixture before bringing it into contact with the membrane.
- said stream F1 has a reduced molar hydrogen content relative to said mixture.
- said flux F1 comprises at least 25% by weight of fluorocarbon, advantageously at least least 30% by weight of fluorocarbon, preferably at least 35% by weight of fluorocarbon, more preferably at least 40% by weight of fluorocarbon, in particular at least 45% by weight of fluorocarbon, more particularly at least 50% by weight of fluorocarbon based on the total weight of said flux Fl.
- said stream F1 comprises less than 20% by weight of hydrogen based on the total weight of said stream F1.
- said stream F1 comprises less than 15% by weight of hydrogen, preferably less than 10% by weight, in particular less than 5% by weight, more particularly less than 1% by weight based on the total weight of said flux F1.
- the stream F2 is enriched in hydrogen.
- said stream F2 has an increased molar hydrogen content relative to said mixture.
- said stream F2 comprises at least 25% by weight of hydrogen, more preferably at least 50% by weight of hydrogen, in particular at least 75% by weight of hydrogen, more particularly at least 80% by weight of hydrogen, preferably at least 95% by weight of hydrogen based on the total weight of said stream F2.
- Fluorocarbon refers to a compound comprising at least one fluorine atom and at least one carbon atom.
- the fluorocarbon can be for example a hydrofluoroalkane, hydrofluoroolefin, hydrochlorofluoroalkane, hydrochlorofluoroolefin.
- hydrofluoroalkane refers to an alkane compound comprising, as substituents, carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms and one or more fluorine atom(s).
- hydrofluoroolefin refers to an olefin comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond, and as substituents of the carbon atoms hydrogen atoms and one or more fluorine atom(s).
- hydrochlorofluoroalkane refers to an alkane compound comprising, as substituents of the carbon atoms of the hydrogen atoms, one or more chlorine atom(s) and one or more fluorine atom(s).
- hydrochlorofluoroolefin refers to an olefin comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond, and as substituents of the carbon atoms of the hydrogen atoms, one or more chlorine atom(s) and one or more fluorine atom(s). .
- said fluorocarbon comprises one, two, three or four carbon atoms.
- said fluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, fluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 2-chloro-l,l,2-trifluoroethane, l-chloro-l,l,2-trifluoroethane, 2-chloro-l, 1,1-trifluoroethane, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, hexafluoropropene, 1,1,1,3,3,3
- 1.1.2.3-tetrafluoropropene 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,3-trifluoropropene, 1,1,2-trifluoropropene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,2,3-trifluoropropene, 2,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,1-difluoropropene, 1,2-difluoropropene, 2,3-difluoropropene, and 3,3-difluoropropene.
- the fluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene,
- the fluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2- tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, 2-chloro-
- the term membrane refers to a membrane which is selectively permeable to one or more compounds so that it allows different compounds to migrate through it at different rates.
- the membrane restricts the movement of molecules passing through it so that some molecules move slower than others or are completely excluded (i.e. impermeable).
- the membrane can be selectively permeable to fluorocarbon and impermeable (or low permeable) to hydrogen.
- the permeability of a membrane depends on its ability to limit or not the diffusion of these compounds through it.
- Membranes can selectively separate components over a wide range of solubility parameters and molecular sizes, from macromolecular materials to simple ionic or covalent compounds.
- the determining property for the performance of the membrane is mainly the selectivity.
- the membrane separation process is characterized by the fact that a feed stream is divided into two streams: retentate and permeate.
- the retentate is the part of the feed which does not (or barely) pass through the membrane, while the permeate is the part of the feed which passes through the membrane.
- the retentate can be one of the fluxes described depending on the membrane used and the compounds considered.
- membrane separation does not require phase separation, which generally results in significant energy savings compared to distillation processes.
- Capital costs can also be reduced because membrane separation processes generally have no moving parts, no complex control schemes and little ancillary equipment compared to other separation processes known in the art.
- Membranes can be produced with extremely high selectivity for the components to be separated. In general, selectivity values are much higher than typical relative volatility values for distillation operations. Membrane separation processes may also be able to recover minor but valuable components from the main stream without substantial energy cost. Membrane separation processes are potentially better for the environment since the membrane approach requires the use of relatively simple and non-harmful materials.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polyaramide, polyamide, polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene or tetrafluoroethylene/perfluorovinylether copolymer optionally substituted with an SO3H group.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, cellulose or polyvinylidene fluoride.
- polyolefin refers in particular to polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpropene, polybutene, polypentene, polymethylpentene, polymethylbutene, polyhexene, polymethylpentene and polyethylbutene.
- polyether refers in particular to a polyarylether comprising the monomeric unit -[-O-Ar-]- or -[-Ar 1 -O-Ar 2 -]- in which Ar, Ar 1 and Ar 2 are, independently of each other, an aromatic ring comprising from 6 to 12 carbon atoms optionally substituted by one or more C1-C10 alkyl functional groups; preferably Ar is a phenyl group optionally substituted by one, two, three or four C1-C3 alkyl functional groups.
- the polyether is poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide).
- the cellulose is preferably cellulose acetate.
- said membrane M1 has a selectivity greater than 4, advantageously greater than 5, preferably greater than 6, more preferably greater than 7, in particular greater than 8, more particularly greater than 9; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of said fluorocarbon therethrough.
- the selectivity of said membrane M1 may be greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 14, or greater than 16, or greater than 18, or greater than 20, or greater than 22, or greater than 24, or greater than 26, or greater than 28, or greater than 30, or greater than 32, or greater than 34, or greater than 36, or greater than 38, or greater than 40; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of said fluorocarbon through said membrane M1.
- said membrane M1 has a selectivity greater than 4, advantageously greater than 5, preferably greater than 6, more preferably greater than 7, in particular greater than 8, more particularly greater than 9; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said fluorocarbon and the permeability of hydrogen through said membrane M1.
- the selectivity of said membrane M1 may be greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 14, or greater than 16, or greater than 18, or greater than 20, or greater than 22, or greater than 24, or greater than 26, or greater than 28, or greater than 30, or greater than 32, or greater than 34, or greater than 36, or greater than 38, or greater than 40; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said fluorocarbon and the permeability of hydrogen through membrane M1.
- Step (a) can be implemented over a wide range of temperature and pressure.
- step (a) of bringing said mixture into contact with said membrane M1 is carried out at a pressure of 0.1 bara to 30 bara, advantageously from 0.2 bara to 25 bara, preferably from 0. 3 bara to 20 bara, more preferably from 0.4 bara to 15 bara, in particular from 0.5 bara to 10 bara, more particularly from 0.5 bara to 5 bara.
- step (a) of bringing said mixture into contact with said membrane M1 is carried out at a temperature from 0° C. to 150° C., advantageously from 0° C. to 125° C., preferably from 5° C. C to 100°C, more preferably from 10 to 75°C, in particular from 10 to 50°C.
- a pressure difference is observed between the inlet of the membrane and the outlet of the membrane.
- the differential pressure expressed here corresponds to the pressure difference existing between the inlet and the outlet of said membrane.
- the differential pressure is 1 to 3000 kPa, preferably 50 to 2000 kPa, in particular 100 to 1000 kPa, more particularly 100 to 500 kPa.
- said fluorocarbon is trifluoroethylene.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or polymethylpentene or poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide) or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide.
- said fluorocarbon is 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or polymethylpentene or poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide) or polyfluoride of vinylidene or cellulose acetate or polyimide.
- said fluorocarbon is pentafluoroethane.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or polymethylpentene or poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide) or polyfluoride of vinylidene or cellulose acetate or polyimide.
- said fluorocarbon is hexafluoropropene.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or of polymethylpentene or of poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or of poly(phenylene oxide) or polyfluoride of vinylidene or cellulose acetate or polyimide.
- said fluorocarbon is 1,1, 1,2,3-pentafluoropropene.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or of polymethylpentene or of poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or of poly(phenylene oxide) or polyfluoride of vinylidene or cellulose acetate or polyimide.
- said fluorocarbon is 1,1-difluoroethylene.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or of polymethylpentene or of poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or of poly(phenylene oxide) or polyfluoride of vinylidene or cellulose acetate or polyimide.
- said fluorocarbon is 1,2-difluoroethylene (E and/or Z).
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or of polymethylpentene or of poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or of poly(phenylene oxide) or polyfluoride of vinylidene or cellulose acetate or polyimide.
- said fluorocarbon is chlorotrifluoroethylene.
- said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin or polyether or polyvinylidene fluoride or cellulose or polyimide; in particular said membrane M1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or of polymethylpentene or of poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or of poly(phenylene oxide) or polyfluoride of vinylidene or cellulose acetate or polyimide.
- the hydrogen is preferably in anhydrous form.
- the fluorocarbon is preferably in anhydrous form.
- anhydrous refers to a mass water content of less than 1000 ppm, advantageously 500 ppm, preferably less than 200 ppm, in particular less than 100 ppm based on the total weight of the compound under consideration.
- Said mixture used in the present process and brought into contact with said membrane M1 can also contain nitrogen.
- said stream F1 also comprises nitrogen.
- Said F1 stream can be subjected to a second membrane purification step.
- Said method comprises a step (b) of bringing said flow F1 into contact with a membrane M1' to form a flow F3 comprising said fluorocarbon and a flow F4 comprising nitrogen.
- said membrane M1' can be more permeable to said fluorocarbon than to nitrogen.
- said membrane M1' has a selectivity greater than 2, advantageously greater than 3, preferably greater than 4, more preferably greater than 5, in particular greater than 6, more particularly greater than 7; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said fluorocarbon and the permeability of nitrogen through said membrane M1'.
- said fluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroolefin or a hydrochlorofluoroolefin.
- said fluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroolefin.
- step b) can be implemented under the conditions described below in embodiment 1 according to the method for separating nitrogen from a fluorocarbon.
- said membrane M1' is made of polyolefin, polyether or contains a siloxane functional group.
- said second membrane is made of polypropylene, polymethylpentene or polyalkylsiloxane.
- the polyalkylsiloxane is preferably polydimethylsiloxane.
- said membrane M1′ is more permeable to nitrogen than to fluorocarbon.
- said membrane M1' has a selectivity greater than 2, advantageously greater than 3, preferably greater than 4, more preferably greater than 5, in particular greater than 6, more particularly greater than 7; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of nitrogen and the permeability of said fluorocarbon through said membrane M1'.
- the selectivity of said membrane M1' can be greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 14, or greater than 16, or greater than 18, or greater than 20, or greater than 22, or greater than 24 , or greater than 26, or greater than 28, or greater than 30, or greater than 32, or greater than 34, or greater than 36, or greater than 38, or greater than 40; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said fluorocarbon and the permeability of nitrogen through said membrane M1'.
- said fluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane or a hydrochlorofluoroalkane, in particular a hydrofluoroalkane.
- step b) can be implemented under the conditions described below in embodiment 2 according to the method for separating nitrogen from a fluorocarbon.
- said membrane M1' is made of polyolefin. More particularly, said membrane M1' is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpropene, polybutene, polypentene, polymethylpentene, polymethylbutene, polyhexene, polymethylpentene and polyethylbutene.
- said membrane M1′ is made of a material selected from the group consisting of is polypropylene or polymethylpentene.
- step (a) of the present process when said mixture contains nitrogen, hydrogen and the fluorocarbon, step (a) of the present process makes it possible to simultaneously separate the nitrogen and the hydrogen from the fluorocarbon.
- the present method comprises a step (a) of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M1" to form a flow F1' comprising the fluorocarbon and a flow F2' comprising the hydrogen and nitrogen.
- Said membrane M1" may have a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 10, preferably greater than 15, more preferably greater than 20, in particular greater than 25, more particularly greater than 30 when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said fluorocarbon and the permeability of nitrogen through said membrane M1"; and said first membrane may have a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 10, preferably greater than 15, more preferably greater than 20, in in particular greater than 25, more particularly greater than 30 when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said fluorocarbon and the permeability of hydrogen through said membrane M1".
- said membrane M1" may have a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 10, preferably greater than 15, more preferably greater than 20, in particular greater than 25, more particularly greater than 30 when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of nitrogen and the permeability of said fluorocarbon through said membrane M1"; and said membrane M1" may have a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 10, preferably greater than 15, more preferably greater than 20, in particular greater than 25, more particularly greater than 30 when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of said fluorocarbon through said membrane M1".
- the nitrogen when said mixture contains nitrogen, hydrogen and the fluorocarbon, the nitrogen can be separated from the fluorocarbon and the hydrogen before step (a) of the present process.
- the present method comprises a step of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M1′ to form a flow F1′′ comprising the fluorocarbon and the hydrogen and a flow F2′′ comprising the nitrogen. Said flow F1′′ is then subjected to step (a) according to the present process, ie said flow F1′′ is brought into contact with said membrane M1 as defined above according to the first aspect of the invention.
- said membrane M1' may have a selectivity greater than 2, advantageously greater than 3, preferably greater than 4, more preferably greater than 5, in particular greater than 6, more particularly greater than 7 when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said fluorocarbon and the permeability of nitrogen therethrough; and said membrane M1' can have a selectivity greater than 2, advantageously greater than 3, preferably greater than 4, more preferably greater than 5, in particular greater than 6, more particularly greater than 7 when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of nitrogen through it.
- said membrane M1' can have a selectivity greater than 2, advantageously greater than 3, preferably greater than 4, more preferably greater than 5, in particular greater than 6, more particularly greater than 7 when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of nitrogen and the permeability of said fluorocarbon through it; and said membrane M1' can have a selectivity greater than 2, advantageously greater than 3, preferably greater than 4, more preferably greater than 5, in particular greater than 6, more particularly greater than 7 when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of nitrogen and the permeability of hydrogen through it.
- said membrane M1′ may be made of a material as described above in the first or second embodiment depending on said fluorocarbon considered.
- said membrane M1, said membrane M1′ and membrane M1′′ are independently selected from among a film, a laminated structure, hollow fibers and coated fibers. depending on its selectivity with respect to the compounds to be separated.
- the membrane can be supplied on an inert support.
- step b) is implemented at a pressure of 0.1 bara to 30 bara, advantageously from 0.2 bara to 25 bara, preferably from 0.3 bara to 20 bara, more preferably from 0 .4 bara to 15 bara, in particular from 0.5 bara to 10 bara, more particularly from 0.5 bara to 5 bara.
- step b) is carried out at a temperature of 0°C to 150°C, advantageously from 0°C to 125°C, preferably from 5°C to 100°C, more preferably from 10 to 75°C, in particular from 10 to 50°C.
- a pressure difference is observed between the inlet of the membrane and the outlet of the membrane.
- the differential pressure expressed here corresponds to the pressure difference existing between the inlet and the outlet of said membrane.
- the differential pressure is 1 to 3000 kPa, preferably 50 to 2000 kPa, in particular 100 to 1000 kPa, more particularly 100 to 500 kPa.
- a method for separating a mixture comprising a hydrofluoroolefin and nitrogen comprises a step of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M3 to form a stream F7 comprising said one hydrofluoroolefin and a stream F8 comprising nitrogen.
- said membrane M3 is made of a material containing a siloxane functional group.
- said membrane M3 is made of a material containing a functional group of formula -[-(R)(R')Si-O] n - with R and R' independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl , C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C6-C12 aryl; and n being an integer greater than 50, preferably greater than 100, in particular greater than 1000.
- said membrane M3 is made of polyalkylsiloxane.
- alkyl referring to a radical of the C1-C10 alkyl type.
- said membrane M3 is made of polydimethylsiloxane.
- said membrane M3 is chosen from a film, a laminated structure, hollow fibers and coated fibers.
- said hydrofluoroolefin is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, hexafluoropropene, 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 1, 1,2, 3,3- pentafluoropropene, 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1, 3,3,3- tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,2, 3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1, 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,3-trifluoropropene, 1,1,2-trifluoropropene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1, 2,3-trifluoropropene, 2,3,3-trifluoropropen
- said hydrofluoroolefin is selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1, 1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane, 1,1, 1,2,3- pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene, 1,2, 3, 3, 3-pentafluoropropene and 3, 3,3-trifluoropropene.
- the process is implemented at a pressure of 0.1 bara to 30 bara, advantageously from 0.2 bara to 25 bara, preferably from 0.3 bara to 20 bara, more preferably from 0.4 bara to 15 bara, in particular from 0.5 bara to 10 bara, more particularly from 0.5 bara to 5 bara.
- this step is carried out at a temperature of 0°C to 150°C, advantageously from 0°C to 125°C, preferably from 5°C to 100°C, more preferably from 10 to 75°C , in particular from 10 to 50°C.
- a pressure difference is observed between the inlet of the membrane and the outlet of the membrane.
- the differential pressure expressed here corresponds to the pressure difference existing between the inlet and the outlet of said membrane.
- the differential pressure is 1 to 3000 kPa, preferably 50 to 2000 kPa, in particular 100 to 1000 kPa, more particularly 100 to 500 kPa.
- said membrane M3 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in particular greater than 9; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of said hydrofluoroolefin and the permeability of nitrogen through said membrane M3.
- said hydrofluoroolefin is trifluoroethylene and said membrane M3 is polydimethylsiloxane.
- said hydrofluoroolefin is N-(2-fluoroolefin
- said hydrofluoroolefin is hexafluoropropene and said membrane M3 is polydimethylsiloxane.
- said hydrofluoroolefin is N-(2-fluoroolefin
- said hydrofluoroolefin is N-(2-fluoroolefin
- said membrane M3 is made of polydimethylsiloxane.
- said hydrofluoroolefin is N-(2-fluoroolefin
- 1,2-difluoroethylene and said membrane M3 is made of polydimethylsiloxane.
- the present process makes it possible to enrich the F7 stream in hydrofluoroolefin with respect to the starting mixture.
- the F8 stream is for its part enriched in nitrogen with respect to the initial mixture.
- Embodiment 2 According to another aspect of the present invention, a process for separating a mixture comprising a hydrofluoroalkane and nitrogen is provided.
- said method comprises a step of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M3′ to form a flow F7′ comprising said hydrofluoroalkane and a flow F8′ comprising nitrogen.
- said membrane M3' is made of polyolefin.
- said membrane M3' is chosen from a film, a laminated structure, hollow fibers and coated fibers.
- said membrane M3' is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpropene, polybutene, polypentene, polymethylpentene, polymethylbutene, polyhexene, polymethylpentene and polyethylbutene.
- said membrane is made of polypropylene or polymethylpentene.
- said hydrofluoroalkane is selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1, 1,3, 3-pentafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane.
- said membrane M3' has a selectivity greater than 10, advantageously greater than 15, preferably greater than 20, more preferably greater than 25, in particular greater than 30; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of nitrogen and the permeability of said hydrofluoroalkane through said membrane M3'.
- said hydrofluoroalkane is pentafluoroethane and said membrane M3' is made of polypropylene or polymethylpentene, preferably polymethylpentene.
- the process is implemented at a pressure of 0.1 bara to 30 bara, advantageously from 0.2 bara to 25 bara, preferably from 0.3 bara to 20 bara, more preferably from 0.4 bara to 15 bara, in particular from 0.5 bara to 10 bara, more particularly from 0.5 bara to 5 bara.
- this step is carried out at a temperature of 0°C to 150°C, advantageously from 0°C to 125°C, preferably from 5°C to 100°C, more preferably from 10 to 75°C , in particular from 10 to 50°C.
- a pressure difference is observed between the inlet of the membrane and the outlet of the membrane.
- the differential pressure expressed here corresponds to the pressure difference existing between the inlet and the outlet of said membrane.
- the differential pressure is 1 to 3000 kPa, preferably 50 to 2000 kPa, in particular 100 to 1000 kPa, more particularly 100 to 500 kPa.
- the present process makes it possible to enrich the flow F7′ in hydrofluoroalkane with respect to the starting mixture.
- the F8' stream is for its part enriched in nitrogen with respect to the initial mixture.
- the nitrogen is in the anhydrous form.
- the hydrofluoroolefin and the hydrofluoroalkane are in anhydrous form.
- anhydrous refers to a mass water content of less than 1000 ppm, advantageously 500 ppm, preferably less than 200 ppm, in particular less than 100 ppm based on the total weight of the compound under consideration.
- the present application describes, in the first, second and third aspect of the present invention, a process for separating hydrogen and/or nitrogen from a fluorocarbon.
- the present process is of particular interest in the purification process of a fluorocarbon such as trifluoroethylene.
- a fluorocarbon such as trifluoroethylene.
- trifluoroethylene is used as monomers or co-monomers for the manufacture of fluorocarbon polymers having remarkable characteristics, in particular excellent chemical behavior and good heat resistance.
- Trifluoroethylene is also used as a refrigerant. For these applications, a high purity of trifluoroethylene is sought while implementing an efficient and environmentally friendly process.
- the present invention provides a process for the production of trifluoroethylene.
- the present invention provides a process for producing trifluoroethylene in a reactor equipped with a fixed catalytic bed comprising a catalyst, said process comprising a step A) of reacting chlorotrifluoroethylene with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst and in the gas phase to produce a stream comprising unreacted trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and hydrogen; and a step B) of bringing a stream comprising trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen into contact with a membrane M2 to form a stream F5 comprising trifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen and a stream F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen.
- the current comprising trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and hydrogen used in step B) is said stream comprising unreacted trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and hydrogen produced in step A).
- the hydrogen can be in the F5 stream or in the F6 stream depending on the M2 membrane used.
- stage B) thus makes it possible to eliminate a large quantity of the chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally of the hydrogen from the flow of trifluoroethylene (flow F5), which will make it possible to facilitate the operations of purification of the latter.
- trifluoroethylene is usually separated from chlorotrifluoroethylene by cryogenic distillation.
- Step B) can be implemented directly after step A) or said current from step A) can be processed according to steps i), ii) and iii) described below before implementing step B).
- the stream subjected to step B) comprises trifluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene; the hydrogen having been removed by step iii) described below.
- said stream F5 is enriched in trifluoroethylene with respect to the stream used in step
- Said stream F6 is enriched in chlorotrifluoroethylene with respect to the stream used in step B).
- said stream F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen is recovered and recycled to step A).
- the F5 stream comprising trifluoroethylene can be purified as explained below.
- Said stage B) makes it possible to eliminate all or part of the chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally of the hydrogen which has not reacted in stage A). This step thus makes it possible to limit the quantity of unreacted starting materials in the subsequent purification steps, thus facilitating the purification of the trifluoroethylene as explained above.
- the method is implemented continuously.
- the hydrogen is in anhydrous form.
- the chlorotrifluoroethylene is in anhydrous form. Carrying out the process in the presence of hydrogen and/or anhydrous chlorotrifluoroethylene makes it possible to effectively increase the lifetime of the catalyst and thus the overall productivity of the process.
- anhydrous refers to a mass water content of less than 1000 ppm, advantageously 500 ppm, preferably less than 200 ppm, in particular less than 100 ppm based on the total weight of the compound under consideration.
- Stage A) of the process for producing trifluoroethylene is carried out in the presence of a catalyst.
- the catalyst is based on a metal from columns 8 to 10 of the periodic table of elements.
- the catalyst is based on a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ru; preferably palladium.
- the catalyst is supported.
- the support is preferably selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, an aluminum-based support, calcium carbonate, and graphite.
- the support is based on aluminium.
- the support is alumina.
- the alumina may be alpha alumina.
- the alumina comprises at least 90% alpha alumina.
- the catalyst is more particularly palladium supported on alumina, advantageously palladium supported on an alumina comprising at least 90% alpha alumina, preferably palladium supported on an alpha alumina.
- the palladium represents from 0.01% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the catalyst, preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight based on the total weight of the catalyst.
- said catalyst comprises from 0.01% to 5% by weight of palladium supported on alumina, preferably the alumina comprises at least 90% alpha alumina, more preferably the alumina is an alpha alumina.
- Said catalyst is preferably activated before its use in step A).
- the activation of the catalyst is carried out at high temperature and in the presence of a reducing agent.
- the reducing agent is chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide, formaldehyde, Ci-Cg alkanes and Ci-Cio hydrohalocarbons, or a mixture thereof; preferably hydrogen or a C1-C10 hydrohalocarbon, or a mixture thereof; in particular hydrogen, chlorotrifluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethane, trifluoroethane or difluoroethane or a mixture thereof.
- the activation of the catalyst is carried out at a temperature between 100° C. and 400° C., in particular at a temperature between 150°C and 350°C.
- the activation of the catalyst is carried out at a temperature comprised between 100° C. and 400° C., in particular at a temperature comprised between 150° C. and 350° C., in the presence of hydrogen as reducing agent.
- Said catalyst used in the present process can be regenerated.
- This regeneration step can be implemented in a catalyst bed temperature range of between 90°C and 450°C.
- the regeneration step is carried out in the presence of hydrogen.
- the implementation of the regeneration step makes it possible to improve the yield of the reaction with respect to the initial yield before regeneration.
- the regeneration step can be carried out at a catalyst bed temperature of 90°C to 300°C, preferably at a catalyst bed temperature of 90°C to 250°C, more preferably from 90°C to 200°C, in particular from 90°C to 175°C, more particularly at a temperature of the catalytic bed from 90°C to 150°C.
- the implementation of the regeneration step at a low temperature, for example from 90° C.
- the regeneration step can be implemented at a temperature of the catalytic bed greater than 200° C., advantageously greater than 230° C., preferably greater than 250° C., in particular greater than 300 °C.
- the regeneration step can be implemented periodically depending on the productivity or the conversion obtained in step a).
- the regeneration stage can advantageously be implemented at a temperature of the catalytic bed of between 200° C. and 300° C., preferably between 205° C. and 295° C., more preferably between 210° C.
- the regeneration step can be implemented at a temperature between 300°C and 450°C, preferably between 300°C and 400°C.
- the regenerated catalyst can be reused in step A) of the present process.
- the process includes, as mentioned above, a step of reacting chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) with hydrogen to produce a stream comprising trifluoroethylene.
- CCTFE chlorotrifluoroethylene
- This hydrogenolysis step is carried out in the presence of a catalyst and in the gas phase.
- the hydrogenolysis step is carried out in the presence of a previously activated catalyst and in the gas phase.
- the hydrogenolysis step consists of simultaneously introducing hydrogen, the CTFE and optionally an inert gas, such as nitrogen, in the gas phase and in the presence of said catalyst, preferably activated.
- said step A) is implemented at a temperature of the fixed catalytic bed of between 50°C and 250°C.
- Said step A) can be implemented at a fixed catalytic bed temperature of between 50°C and 240°C, advantageously between 50°C and 230°C, preferably between 50°C and 220°C, more preferably between 50°C and 210°C, in particular between 50°C and 200°C.
- Said step A) can also be implemented at a fixed catalytic bed temperature of between 60°C and 250°C, advantageously between 70°C and 250°C, preferably between 80°C and 250°C, more preferably between 90°C and 250°C, in particular between 100°C and 250°C, more particularly between 120°C and 250°C.
- Said step a) can also be implemented at a fixed catalytic bed temperature of between 60°C and 240°C, advantageously between 70°C and 230°C, preferably between 80°C and 220°C, more preferably between 90°C and 210°C, in particular between 100°C and 200°C, more particularly between 100°C and 180°C, preferably between 100°C and 160°C, particularly preferably between 120°C C and 160°C.
- the H2/CTFE molar ratio is between 0.5/1 to 2/1 and preferably between 1/1 to 1.2/1. If an inert gas such as nitrogen is present in step A), the nitrogen/Fh molar ratio is between 0/1 to 2/1 and preferably between 0/1 to 1/1.
- Step A) is preferably implemented at a pressure of 0.05 MPa to 1.1 MPa, more preferably from 0.05 MPa to 0.5 MPa, in particular at atmospheric pressure.
- the contact time calculated as being the ratio between the volume, in liters, of catalyst and the total flow rate of the gaseous mixture, in normal liters per second, at the inlet of the reactor, is between 1 and 60 seconds, preferably between 5 and 45 seconds, in particular between 10 and 30 seconds, more particularly between 15 and 25 seconds.
- the hydrogenolysis step (Step A)) of the present process results in the production of a stream comprising trifluoroethylene. Said stream may also contain unreacted hydrogen and chlorotrifluoroethylene. Said stream may also contain nitrogen. Said stream can also comprise HCl or HF or a mixture of both. Said stream may also include organic impurities (such as F143, F133 and other organics).
- Stage B) results in the formation of a stream F5 comprising trifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen and of a stream F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen.
- said membrane M2 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polyaramide, polyamide, polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, T1 polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene or tetrafluoroethylene/perfluorovinylether copolymer optionally substituted by an SO3H group.
- said membrane M2 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, cellulose or polyvinylidene fluoride.
- polyolefin and polyether are defined above in connection with the first aspect of the present invention.
- the cellulose is cellulose acetate.
- said membrane M2 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide) or cellulose acetate or polyvinylidene fluoride or polyimide.
- step B) is implemented at a pressure of 0.1 bara to 30 bara, advantageously from 0.2 bara to 25 bara, preferably from 0.3 bara to 20 bara, more preferably from 0. 4 bara to 15 bara, in particular from 0.5 bara to 10 bara, more particularly from 0.5 bara to 5 bara.
- a pressure difference is observed between the inlet of the membrane and the outlet of the membrane.
- the differential pressure expressed here corresponds to the pressure difference existing between the inlet and the outlet of said membrane.
- the differential pressure is 1 to 3000 kPa, preferably 50 to 2000 kPa, in particular 100 to 1000 kPa, more particularly 100 to 500 kPa.
- a differential pressure could influence the permeability value of chlorotrifluoroethylene.
- a selectivity greater than 5 when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene, a differential pressure is approximately 2.5 bars.
- a selectivity greater than 10 when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene, a differential pressure is approximately 3.5 bars.
- step B) is carried out at a temperature of 0°C to 150°C, advantageously from 0°C to 125°C, preferably from 5°C to 100°C, more preferably from 10 to 75°C, in particular from 10 to 50°C.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in particular greater than 9, when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of the hydrogen and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in in particular greater than 9, when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 14, or greater than 16, or greater than 18, or greater than 20, or greater than 22, or greater than 24; when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in particular greater than 9, when this ci is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through it; and said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in particular greater than 9, when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through it.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in particular greater than 9, when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of the hydrogen and the permeability of trifluoroethylene therethrough; and said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 14, or greater than 16, or greater than 18, or greater than 20, or greater than 22, or greater than 24; when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene and the permeability of trifluoroethylene through it.
- said membrane M2 is more permeable to hydrogen and to chlorotrifluoroethylene than to trifluoroethylene, which allows an advantageous separation of the current from step A).
- This embodiment is preferably obtained when said membrane M2 is made of a material consisting of polyolefin, in particular polypropylene or polymethylpentene.
- said membrane M2 is more permeable to hydrogen and to trifluoroethylene than to chlorotrifluoroethylene, which allows advantageous separation of the current from step A).
- This embodiment is preferably obtained when said membrane M2 is made of a material consisting of polyimide or cellulose, in particular polyimide or cellulose acetate.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10, advantageously greater than 20, preferably greater than 50, more preferably greater than 75, in particular greater than 100, when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of the hydrogen and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in particular greater than 9, when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 14; when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene through said membrane M2.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10, advantageously greater than 20, preferably greater than 50, more preferably greater than 75, in particular greater than 100, when that -ci is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of hydrogen and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene through it; and said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 5, advantageously greater than 6, preferably greater than 7, more preferably greater than 8, in particular greater than 9, when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of the trifluoroethylene and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene through through it.
- said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10, advantageously greater than 20, preferably greater than 50, more preferably greater than 75, in particular greater than 100, when this is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of the hydrogen and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene therethrough; and said membrane M2 has a selectivity greater than 10, or greater than 12, or greater than 14; when the latter is calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of chlorotrifluoroethylene therethrough.
- said flux F5 comprises at least 25% by weight of trifluoroethylene, advantageously at least 30% by weight, preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, in particular at least 45% by weight, more particularly at least 50% by weight of trifluoroethylene based on the total weight of said flux F5.
- said flux F5 comprises at least 55% by weight of trifluoroethylene, advantageously at least 60% by weight, preferably at least at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, in particular at least 90% by weight, more particularly at least 95% by weight of trifluoroethylene based on the total weight of said flux F5.
- Said flux F5 may comprise a small amount of chlorotrifluoroethylene.
- said flow F5 comprises a mass content of chlorotrifluoroethylene of less than 40%, preferably less than 30%, more preferably less than 20%, in particular less than 10%, more particularly less than 5% based on the total weight of said F5 flow.
- the present method may comprise additional steps i) to iv). These steps can be implemented from the flow F5 or from said current from step A). As explained above, step B) can be implemented from said current from step A) or from said current from step A) previously processed by steps i), ii) and optionally iii) to eliminate certain products.
- Said method may comprise the steps of: i) Elimination of HF and/or HCl to form a gaseous mixture; ii) Drying of the gaseous mixture resulting from step i); iii) Optionally, treatment of the gaseous mixture dried in step ii) to eliminate the hydrogen and inert gases and form a gas stream Fil; iv) Distillation of the gaseous mixture dried in step ii) or of said gas stream Fil from step iii) or of said stream F5.
- the stream F5 from step B) or said stream from step A) implemented in step i) are preferably in gaseous form.
- the HCl and the HF are eliminated by passing said stream or said stream through water in a washing column and then by washing with a dilute base such as NaOH or KOH.
- the rest of the gas mixture consisting of reagents (H2 and CTFE if present), dilution nitrogen (if present), trifluoroethylene and organic impurities is sent to a dryer in order to eliminate traces of washing water .
- the drying can be carried out using products such as sodium or magnesium calcium sulphate, calcium chloride, potassium carbonate, silica gel (silicagel) or zeolites.
- a molecular sieve (zeolite) such as siliporite is used for drying.
- step iii) is preferably implemented. This can be implemented using different techniques: absorption/desorption or separation by membrane.
- the gaseous mixture thus dried is optionally subjected to a stage of separation of the hydrogen and the inerts from the rest of the other products present in the gaseous mixture by absorption/desorption in the presence of an alcohol comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and of preferably ethanol, at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature below room temperature, preferably below 10° C. and even more preferably at a temperature of -25° C., for absorption.
- the absorption of the organics is carried out in a countercurrent column with ethanol cooled to -25°C.
- the flow rate of ethanol is adjusted according to the flow rate of organics to be absorbed. Hydrogen and inert gases, insoluble in ethanol at this temperature, are eliminated at the top of the absorption column. The organics are then recovered in the form of said Fil stream, by heating ethanol to its boiling point (desorption).
- step ii) the dried gas mixture obtained in step ii) is subjected to step (a) according to the first aspect of the present invention if hydrogen and optionally nitrogen are present.
- step (a) the dried gas mixture obtained in step ii) is then brought into contact with said membrane M1 under the conditions described in this first aspect of the present invention.
- This embodiment is preferably obtained with said membrane M1 as described in the present application and being made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose and polyimide, in particular a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)], poly(phenylene oxide), polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose and polyimide as explained above.
- the Fil flux obtained comprises trifluoroethylene and optionally chlorotrifluoroethylene.
- the Fil stream is then subjected to stage iv) or to stage B) to separate the trifluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene possibly present therein.
- stage iii) may not be implemented; and the gas mixture dried in step ii) is distilled in step iv).
- said stream from step A) can be processed beforehand by steps i), ii) and optionally iii) described above before implementing step B) as described below.
- the stream F5 comprising trifluoroethylene is recovered and subjected to step iv) to eliminate other organic compounds and obtain high purity trifluoroethylene.
- Stream F6 can be recovered and recycled to step A).
- the gaseous mixture dried in step ii) or said gas stream Fil obtained in step iii) if it is implemented or the flow F5 obtained in step B) in particular when this ci is implemented after steps i), ii) and iii) is distilled to form and recover a stream F12 comprising trifluoroethylene.
- step iv) of distillation is carried out at a pressure of less than 3 bara, preferably at a pressure of between 0.5 and 3 bara, in particular at a pressure of between 0.9 and 2 bara.
- Said stream F12 is preferably recovered at the top of the distillation column. Before being recovered, stream F12 may optionally be partially condensed at the top of the distillation column. When partial condensation is implemented, stream F12 is brought to a temperature of -50°C to -70°C. The temperature is adjusted according to the pressure applied in step iv).
- stage iv) also results in the formation of a stream F13 optionally comprising residual chlorotrifluoroethylene and organic impurities resulting from the hydrogenolysis reaction (stage A)).
- This stream F13 is generally recovered at the bottom of the distillation column. Said stream F13 can be recycled to step A) after an optional purification treatment.
- the present invention provides a process for separating trifluoroethylene from chlorotrifluoroethylene according to step B) described above.
- the present invention provides a process for separating a mixture comprising trifluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene; said method comprising a step of bringing said mixture into contact with said membrane M2 to form a flux F5 comprising trifluoroethylene and a flux F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene.
- said membrane M2 being made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, cellulose or polyvinylidene fluoride.
- said membrane M2 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide) or polyimide or cellulose.
- This method is implemented according to the conditions described for step B) above. This method is implemented with a membrane M2 as described in step B).
- the present invention provides a process for the production of trifluoroethylene according to various embodiments.
- the present invention provides a method for producing trifluoroethylene in a reactor provided with a fixed catalytic bed comprising a catalyst, said method comprising:
- step B) a step of bringing said stream from step A) into contact with a membrane M2 to form a stream F5 comprising trifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen; and a stream F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen; i) removal of HF and/or HCl from stream F5 to form a gas mixture; ii) drying the gas mixture resulting from step i); iii) Optionally, treatment of the gaseous mixture dried in step ii) to eliminate the hydrogen and inert gases and form a gas stream Fil; iv) Distillation of the gaseous mixture dried in step ii) or of said gaseous stream Fil from step iii) to recover a stream F12 comprising trifluoroethylene.
- the present invention also provides a process for producing trifluoroethylene in a reactor provided with a fixed catalytic bed comprising a catalyst, said process comprising:
- step A) a step of reacting chlorotrifluoroethylene with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst and in the gas phase to produce a stream comprising the trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and unreacted hydrogen; i) removing HF and/or HCl from said stream from step A) to form a gaseous mixture; ii) drying the gas mixture resulting from step i); iii) Optionally, treatment of the gaseous mixture dried in step ii) to eliminate the hydrogen and inert gases and form a gas stream Fil;
- step i) a step of bringing said gaseous stream Fil or of said gaseous mixture resulting from step i) into contact with a membrane M2 to form a stream F5 comprising trifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen; and a stream F6 comprising chlorotrifluoroethylene and optionally hydrogen; iv) Distillation of said stream F5 to recover a stream F12 comprising trifluoroethylene.
- the present invention provides a process for separating a mixture comprising trifluoroethylene and a hydrofluorocarbon; said method comprising a step of bringing said mixture into contact with an M4 membrane to form an F9 flux comprising trifluoroethylene and an F10 flux comprising said hydrofluorocarbon.
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polyaramide, polyamide, polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene or tetrafluoroethylene/perfluorovinylether copolymer optionally substituted with an SO3H group.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide, polyvinylidene fluoride and cellulose.
- said membrane M4 is chosen from a film, a laminated structure, hollow fibers and coated fibers.
- polyolefin refers in particular to polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpropene, polybutene, polypentene, polymethylpentene, polymethylbutene, polyhexene, polymethylpentene and polyethylbutene.
- polyether refers in particular to a polyarylether comprising the monomeric unit -[-O-Ar-]- or -[-AP-O-Ar 2 -]- in which Ar, Ar 1 and Ar 2 are independently of each other other an aromatic ring comprising from 6 to 12 carbon atoms optionally substituted by one or more C1-C10 alkyl functional groups; preferably Ar is a phenyl group optionally substituted with one, two, three or four C1-C3 alkyl functional groups.
- the polyether is poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] or poly(phenylene oxide).
- the cellulose is cellulose acetate.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyether, polyimide and cellulose.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide ).
- said membrane M4 is made of polypropylene or polymethylpentene.
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane, fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane, 1, 1,1, 2,3- pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane.
- hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethan
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,2-difluoroethane, 1, 1,2-trifluoroethane.
- said membrane M4 has a selectivity greater than 10, advantageously greater than 15, preferably greater than 20, more preferably greater than 25, in particular greater than 30; said selectivity being calculated by the ratio between the permeability of trifluoroethylene and the permeability of said hydrofluorocarbon through said membrane M4.
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane
- said M4 membrane is polypropylene, polymethylpentene , cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide)
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane
- said membrane M4 is made of polypropylene or polymethylpentene, preferably polymethylpentene.
- the F9 stream is enriched in trifluoroethylene.
- the F10 stream is enriched in hydrofluorocarbon with respect to the starting mixture.
- the process is implemented at a pressure of 0.1 bara to 30 bara, advantageously from 0.2 bara to 25 bara, preferably from 0.3 bara to 20 bara, more preferably from 0.4 bara to 15 bara, in particular from 0.5 bara to 10 bara, more particularly from 0.5 bara to 5 bara.
- a pressure difference is observed between the inlet of the membrane and the outlet of the membrane.
- the differential pressure expressed here corresponds to the pressure difference existing between the inlet and the outlet of said membrane.
- the differential pressure is 1 to 3000 kPa, preferably 50 to 2000 kPa, in particular 100 to 1000 kPa, more particularly 100 to 500 kPa.
- the process is carried out at a temperature of 0°C to 150°C, advantageously from 0°C to 125°C, preferably from 5°C to 100°C, more preferably from 10 to 75°C , in particular from 10 to 50°C.
- This process for separating trifluoroethylene from a hydrofluorocarbon can be integrated into an overall process for the production of trifluoroethylene.
- the present invention also provides a process for producing trifluoroethylene comprising a step Al) of dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or of reaction between chlorodifluoromethane and chlorofluoromethane to form a stream comprising trifluoroethylene and 1, 1,1,2-tetrafluroethane; and a step B1) of separating a stream comprising trifluoroethylene and a hydrofluorocarbon according to the fifth aspect of the present invention with a membrane M4 to form a stream F9' comprising trifluoroethylene and a stream F10' comprising said hydrofluorocarbon.
- said hydrofluorocarbon is a hydrofluoroalkane selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide).
- said hydrofluorocarbon is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl -1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide).
- Stage Al) for producing trifluoroethylene can be a dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) by thermal means in the absence of catalyst or in the presence of a catalyst.
- HFC-134a 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane
- the dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is carried out at a temperature above 500° C., advantageously at a temperature above 550° C., preferably at a temperature above 600 °C, more preferably at a temperature above 650°C, in particular above 700°C, more particularly above 800°C.
- the residence time is between 0.1 and 100 seconds, advantageously between 0.1 and 75 seconds, preferably between 0.5 and 50 seconds, more preferably between 0.5 and 10 seconds, in particular between 0.5 and 5 seconds.
- the pressure can be between 1 bara and 50 bara, preferably between 1 bara and 25 bara, in particular between 1 bara and 10 bara.
- the reaction can be carried out in the presence of a diluent such as nitrogen, helium or argon, preferably nitrogen.
- the outlet stream from step A1) comprises, in addition to trifluoroethylene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
- the output stream from step A1) can also comprise tetrafluoroethylene and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane.
- HF is also present in the output stream from step A1). The HF can be eliminated before implementing step B1). The HF can be eliminated by standard techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as bubbling through water or an alkaline or caustic solution.
- step B1) of the present process is implemented from a stream comprising trifluoroethylene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and optionally tetrafluoroethylene and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane .
- Step B1) is implemented with a membrane M4 as defined above to form a flow F9' comprising trifluoroethylene and a flow F10' comprising 1,1,1,2-tetrafluroethane.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide ).
- Step B1) is implemented as indicated above in connection with the separation of trifluoroethylene from a hydrofluorocarbon according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.
- the 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is in anhydrous form.
- anhydrous is defined above in this application.
- step Al implements a dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in the presence of a catalyst and in the gas phase.
- the 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is thus brought into contact in the gas phase with a catalyst based on a metal in the form of oxide, halide or oxyhalide.
- the metal is selected from the group consisting of chromium, aluminum, cobalt, zinc, nickel, potassium, silver, cesium, sodium, calcium, titanium, vanadium, zirconium, molybdenum, tin, lead, magnesium and manganese.
- the catalyst can be based on a metal in the form of oxide, fluoride or oxyfluoride, said metal being selected from the group consisting of chromium, aluminum, cobalt, zinc, nickel, potassium, silver, cesium and sodium.
- the catalyst is based on a metal in the form of oxide, fluoride or oxyfluoride, said metal being selected from chromium and aluminum.
- the catalyst can be bulk (unsupported) or supported on a carbon-based support (graphite, activated carbon) or aluminum (alumina, fluorinated alumina, aluminum fluoride).
- the catalytic dehydrofluorination of HFC-134a is preferably carried out at a temperature of 50° C.
- the catalytic dehydrofluorination of HFC-134a is preferably carried out at a pressure of 1 bara to 20 bara, preferably from 1 bara to 15 bara, in particular from 3 bara to 10 bara.
- the catalytic dehydrofluorination of HFC-134a is preferably carried out at a contact time of 0.5 seconds to 60 seconds, preferably 1 second to 45 seconds, in particular 5 seconds to 30 seconds.
- the outlet stream from step A1) comprises, in addition to trifluoroethylene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and HF.
- the output stream may also include one or more of the following compounds 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134), 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133a) or 2-chloro-1 ,l-difluoroethylene (HCFO-1122).
- the HF can be removed before implementing step B1).
- the HF can be eliminated by standard techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as bubbling through water or an alkaline or caustic solution.
- step B1) of the present process is implemented from a stream comprising trifluoroethylene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and optionally 2-chloro-l,l,l-trifluoroethane , 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene or 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane.
- Step B1) is implemented with a membrane M4 as defined above to form a stream F9' comprising trifluoroethylene and a stream F10' comprising 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide ).
- Stage B1) is carried out as indicated above in connection with the separation of trifluoroethylene from a hydrofluorocarbon according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.
- the 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is in anhydrous form.
- anhydrous is defined above in this application.
- step Al) is a reaction step between chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) and chlorofluoromethane (HCFC-31), by thermal decomposition.
- the HCFC-22/HCFC-31 molar ratio is 1:0.01 to 1:4.0, preferably 0.1 to 1.5.
- Stage Al) is carried out at a temperature of 400° C. to 1200° C., preferably from 600° C. to 900° C., in particular from 710 to 900°C.
- Step A1) is carried out at a pressure of 1 to 3.0 MPa, preferably 1 to 1.5 MPa.
- the reactants, ie HCFC-22 and HCFC-31 can be heated and mixed prior to carrying out the reaction.
- HCFC-22 can be heated to a temperature of 25°C to 600°C, preferably 100°C to 500°C.
- HCFC-31 can be heated to a temperature of 25°C to 1200°C, preferably 100°C to 800°C.
- the contact time is 0.01 to 10 seconds, preferably 0.2 to 3.0 seconds.
- the output stream includes, in addition to trifluoroethylene,
- the output stream may also include pentafluoroethane,
- the output stream may also include unreacted HCFC-22 and HCFC-31.
- HF may also be present in the output stream from step Al).
- the HF can be eliminated before implementing step B1).
- the HF can be eliminated by standard techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as bubbling through water or an alkaline or caustic solution.
- step Bl) of the present process is implemented from a stream comprising trifluoroethylene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and optionally pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane , chlorofluoromethane, chlorodifluoromethane, 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene.
- Step B1) is implemented with a membrane M4 as defined above to form a flow F9' comprising trifluoroethylene and a flow F10' comprising 1,1,1,2-tetrafluroethane.
- said membrane M4 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polymethylpentene, cellulose acetate, polyimide, poly[oxy-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)] and poly(phenylene oxide ).
- Step B1) is implemented as indicated above in connection with the separation of trifluoroethylene from a hydrofluorocarbon according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.
- the HCFC-22 and the HCFC-31 are in anhydrous form. The term anhydrous is defined above in this application.
- Step B1) is implemented regardless of the reaction step chosen (catalytic dehydrofluorination or in the absence of catalyst of HFC-134a or reaction of HCFC-22 with HCFC-31) with said membrane M4 as defined above according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.
- the processes for the production of trifluoroethylene are implemented in corrosion-resistant reactors (given the presence of HF or HCl in the reaction streams).
- Steps A) or Al) can be implemented in Monel or Inconel or Hastelloy reactors or in nickel reactors.
- the permeability of a gaseous compound through a polymer is measured using a TEM Crossflow Filtration Cell from Evonik (with an internal diameter of 52 mm and an active surface of 14 cm 2 ) for polymers in the form of commercial film or module for polymers in fiber form.
- the PPO fiber module is marketed by Parker (module reference ST304 - thickness of 50 ⁇ m for a surface of 0.4 m 2 ).
- the polyimide film is a Dupont Kapton HN film, the polymethylpentene film has the reference MX004, the silicone has the reference USP class VI.
- the films are provided by Goodfellow.
- the membranes tested are in the form of a film with an active surface area of 14 cm 2 and the thickness of which is given in table 1 below. [Table 1]
- PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
- AP Pressure difference across the membrane in Pa (ie differential pressure mentioned in this application) Permeability is generally expressed in Barrer (10 10 .cm 3 (STP).cm.cm 2 .s _1 .cm Hg 1 ) according to the conversion:
- the permeability of a compound through a material is calculated from the data of the material (area, thickness), the pressure difference across the membrane and the measurement of the permeate flow through the membrane .
- the permeability is thus measured by maintaining a compound under pressure upstream of the membrane in the absence of an outlet on the retentate side, and measuring the flow rate of this same compound at atmospheric pressure on the permeate side.
- the tests are carried out at a temperature of 25°C except for silicone, the tests of which were carried out at 35°C.
- the tests are repeated several times possibly at different pressures to obtain a more precise permeability value. Unless otherwise stated, the permeability remains constant regardless of the DeltaP (i.e. the pressure difference across the membrane).
- the experimental protocol detailed above was implemented independently for each compound of the mixture considered: hydrogen and a fluorocarbon (trifluoroethylene (VF3), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125 )).
- the membrane used is polypropylene, polymethylpentene or poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO), polyimide, PVDF or cellulose acetate.
- the results are shown in Table 2 below.
- the permeability value is expressed in Barrer.
- the selectivity mentioned in the table corresponds to the ratio between the permeability measured for the two species considered.
- PP polypropylene
- PMP polymethylpentene
- PPO poly(phenylene oxide)
- na not applicable
- PI polyimide
- PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
- Cell. cellulose acetate
- polyolefin or polyether membranes are more permeable to hydrogen than to fluorocarbons, both hydrofluoroolefin type fluorocarbons and hydrofluoroalkane type fluorocarbons.
- Membranes of the polyolefin (polypropylene or polymethylpentene) or polyether (poly(phenylene oxide)) type therefore make it possible to efficiently separate fluorocarbons such as hydrofluoroolefins or hydrofluoroalkanes from hydrogen.
- membranes of the polyolefin type such as polymethylpentene
- silicone membranes (such as polydimethylsiloxane) are more permeable to hydrofluoroolefins than to nitrogen.
- a factor of 10 is observed between the permeability of nitrogen and that of hydrofluoroolefins such as VF3 or HFO-1234yf.
- the VF3/N2 and HFO-1234yf/N2 selectivity obtained confirms that silicone membranes effectively separate hydrofluoroolefins (such as HFO-1234yf and VF3) from nitrogen.
- Example 3 Process for the production of trifluoroethylene (VF3)
- compositions comprising from 29 to 44% of trifluoroethylene (VF3), from 9 to 16% of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and 37% of hydrogen are brought into contact with a polyolefin membrane.
- VF3 trifluoroethylene
- CTFE chlorotrifluoroethylene
- the compositions are obtained following the implementation of a hydrogenolysis reaction between CTFE and hydrogen in the gaseous phase, in the presence of a palladium on alumina catalyst under the conditions described in the present patent application.
- the compositions also include organic impurities.
- PMP polymethylpentene
- PI Polyimide
- Cell. cellulose acetate
- the permeability of the CTFE is an average of two measurements: 387 barrer and 373 barrer obtained respectively with a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the membrane of 4.8 bars and 4.7 bars.
- a composition resulting from the hydrogenolysis reaction between the CTFE and H2 is easily separated by a membrane of the polyimide or cellulose type such as cellulose acetate.
- a large amount of CTFE is removed from the reaction stream and recycled.
- a flow enriched in trifluoroethylene is also obtained, the hydrogen being able to be easily separated from the trifluoroethylene for membrane separation as explained in the present application or by an absorption/desorption step described above in the present application.
- the high CTFE/VF3 selectivity is particularly advantageous because the subsequent purification of the trifluoroethylene is more easily implemented given the small quantity of CTFE in the trifluoroethylene stream resulting from the membrane separation step.
- Example 1 The experimental protocol detailed above in Example 1 was implemented independently for each compound of the mixture considered: trifluoroethylene and a hydrofluorocarbon (pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a )).
- the membrane used is polymethylpentene.
- the results are shown in Table 5 below.
- the permeability value is expressed in Barrer.
- the selectivity mentioned in the table corresponds to the ratio between the permeability measured for the two species considered.
- VF3 can therefore be easily separated from hydrofluoroalkanes such as HFC-125 or HFC-134a.
- membranes of the polyolefin type can be used in processes for producing trifluoroethylene from 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or generating 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane during the process.
- the desired product, i.e. VF3 is efficiently separated from HFC-134a.
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Abstract
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR2114374A FR3131304B1 (fr) | 2021-12-23 | 2021-12-23 | Procédé de production et de purification du trifluoroéthylène |
| PCT/FR2022/052341 WO2023118697A1 (fr) | 2021-12-23 | 2022-12-13 | Procédé de production et de purification du trifluoroéthylène |
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| EP22840803.5A Pending EP4452912A1 (fr) | 2021-12-23 | 2022-12-13 | Procédé de production et de purification du trifluoroéthylène |
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| US (1) | US20250066277A1 (fr) |
| EP (1) | EP4452912A1 (fr) |
| JP (1) | JP2025500478A (fr) |
| KR (1) | KR20240127401A (fr) |
| CN (1) | CN118434705A (fr) |
| FR (1) | FR3131304B1 (fr) |
| WO (1) | WO2023118697A1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2025019197A1 (fr) * | 2023-07-17 | 2025-01-23 | The Chemours Company Fc, Llc | Procédés de traitement de compositions de difluoropropène |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4018858B2 (ja) * | 1999-12-20 | 2007-12-05 | 大同エアプロダクツ・エレクトロニクス株式会社 | パーフルオロ化合物分離回収方法およびそれに用いるパーフルオロ化合物分離回収装置 |
| FR2987358B1 (fr) | 2012-02-28 | 2016-10-21 | Arkema France | Procede de synthese du trifluoroethylene a partir du chlorotrifluoroethylene |
| MX2016000125A (es) * | 2013-07-12 | 2016-05-31 | Arkema Inc | Metodo de separacion de compuestos organofluorados utilizando membrana. |
| EP3109225B1 (fr) * | 2014-02-20 | 2022-06-08 | AGC Inc. | Procédé de purification de fluide contenant du trifluoroéthylène, et procédé de fabrication de trifluoroéthylène |
-
2021
- 2021-12-23 FR FR2114374A patent/FR3131304B1/fr active Active
-
2022
- 2022-12-13 US US18/721,688 patent/US20250066277A1/en active Pending
- 2022-12-13 WO PCT/FR2022/052341 patent/WO2023118697A1/fr not_active Ceased
- 2022-12-13 CN CN202280085501.7A patent/CN118434705A/zh active Pending
- 2022-12-13 JP JP2024538236A patent/JP2025500478A/ja active Pending
- 2022-12-13 EP EP22840803.5A patent/EP4452912A1/fr active Pending
- 2022-12-13 KR KR1020247024230A patent/KR20240127401A/ko active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR3131304B1 (fr) | 2024-11-01 |
| CN118434705A (zh) | 2024-08-02 |
| KR20240127401A (ko) | 2024-08-22 |
| US20250066277A1 (en) | 2025-02-27 |
| FR3131304A1 (fr) | 2023-06-30 |
| JP2025500478A (ja) | 2025-01-09 |
| WO2023118697A1 (fr) | 2023-06-29 |
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