206
T. J. S. Schubert
8.3.1 Enhanced Production Technologies
One key to the success of ionic liquid technologies is the development of production
processes that are optimized for the specific challenges of their production. A unique
class of materials also needs unique production and especially purification technologies. As mentioned in Sect. 8.2.3.2, if fast and cost-effective processes are available,
the prices of ionic liquids will drop significantly. For the lower ton scale, significant advancements for alkylation reactions were made by replacing batch processes
with continuous-flow technology. In addition, if further progress can be made for
extraction and drying processes, it will definitely reduce time and therefore cost for
implementing and commercializing ionic liquids for numerous other technologies.
8.3.2 Starting Materials
In terms of commercialization of ionic liquids, a detailed analysis of the availability
of materials is important. This means that each starting material should be fragmented
into its initial raw materials available from natural feedstocks. This analysis leads
to a clear picture of the raw materials on which each ionic liquid is dependent, the
sustainability for the production of each ionic liquid, and where future bottlenecks
may appear.
It is quite obvious that a higher demand for ionic liquids will also
affect prices of relevant starting materials. If we take the price for lithium
bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as an example, in 2003, the price was approximately three times higher than today—just because of the fact that the market demand
increased. If a producer moves its production from the scale of 1 ton to the scale of
100 tons, the percentage of personnel costs remains nearly the same, but at 100 times
higher batch size. In addition, the prices for these specific starting materials also
decrease. In conclusion, the economy of scale surely works for ionic liquids.
8.3.3 “Green Solvents” and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Ionic liquids were often called “green solvents,” which is a dangerous descriptor,
since in terms of general toxicity not all of them are necessarily “green.” In this
context, it is important to point out that a fair balance must also consider the potential
of each compound to reduce CO 2 emissions or to save raw materials by replacing or
enhancing existing technologies. Once this information is assembled, the important
CO 2 footprint can be determined. In view of the first major industrial applications, life
cycle analyses were investigated for a couple of manufacturing processes. Because
of the fact that such knowledge typically is the property of companies, it has been
reported only in few cases [9].
T. J. S. Schubert
8.3.1 Enhanced Production Technologies
One key to the success of ionic liquid technologies is the development of production
processes that are optimized for the specific challenges of their production. A unique
class of materials also needs unique production and especially purification technologies. As mentioned in Sect. 8.2.3.2, if fast and cost-effective processes are available,
the prices of ionic liquids will drop significantly. For the lower ton scale, significant advancements for alkylation reactions were made by replacing batch processes
with continuous-flow technology. In addition, if further progress can be made for
extraction and drying processes, it will definitely reduce time and therefore cost for
implementing and commercializing ionic liquids for numerous other technologies.
8.3.2 Starting Materials
In terms of commercialization of ionic liquids, a detailed analysis of the availability
of materials is important. This means that each starting material should be fragmented
into its initial raw materials available from natural feedstocks. This analysis leads
to a clear picture of the raw materials on which each ionic liquid is dependent, the
sustainability for the production of each ionic liquid, and where future bottlenecks
may appear.
It is quite obvious that a higher demand for ionic liquids will also
affect prices of relevant starting materials. If we take the price for lithium
bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as an example, in 2003, the price was approximately three times higher than today—just because of the fact that the market demand
increased. If a producer moves its production from the scale of 1 ton to the scale of
100 tons, the percentage of personnel costs remains nearly the same, but at 100 times
higher batch size. In addition, the prices for these specific starting materials also
decrease. In conclusion, the economy of scale surely works for ionic liquids.
8.3.3 “Green Solvents” and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Ionic liquids were often called “green solvents,” which is a dangerous descriptor,
since in terms of general toxicity not all of them are necessarily “green.” In this
context, it is important to point out that a fair balance must also consider the potential
of each compound to reduce CO 2 emissions or to save raw materials by replacing or
enhancing existing technologies. Once this information is assembled, the important
CO 2 footprint can be determined. In view of the first major industrial applications, life
cycle analyses were investigated for a couple of manufacturing processes. Because
of the fact that such knowledge typically is the property of companies, it has been
reported only in few cases [9].