Shell has been granted a patent for a process to produce alkylene glycol from alkenes. The method involves a gas composition absorption in a specially designed absorber, utilizing catalysts for carboxylation and hydrolysis, and features a baffle-equipped sump for efficient liquid management. GlobalData’s report on Shell gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Shell, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Shell's grant share as of July 2024 was 71%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Process for producing alkylene glycol from alkene
The patent US12054450B2 outlines a novel process for producing alkylene glycol from an alkene through a series of methodical steps. The process begins with the introduction of a gas composition that includes alkylene oxide, alkene, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor into an alkylene oxide absorber. This absorber features a vertically stacked tray design and a sump at its base. The gas composition is allowed to ascend through the absorption section while a lean absorbent is introduced from the top, flowing downwards. The interaction between the gas composition and the lean absorbent occurs on the trays, facilitated by one or more catalysts that enhance carboxylation and hydrolysis. The process culminates in the withdrawal of fat absorbent from the absorption section, which, along with any liquid condensate, is directed through a sump equipped with baffles that create a plug flow-like pathway.
Further claims detail specific configurations and operational parameters of the process. For instance, the fat absorbent and liquid condensate can be collected on trays positioned above and below the gas inlet, respectively. The design of the sump may include multiple baffles, and the process specifies that the alkylene oxide used can be ethylene oxide (EO), with stringent limits on its concentration in the fat absorbent. Additionally, the process may incorporate a heating step downstream of the sump outlet, where the fat absorbent stream is heated to temperatures ranging from 130 to 170°C. This comprehensive approach aims to optimize the production of alkylene glycol while maintaining control over the composition of the resulting products.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
