Method and Apparatus for Separating One or More Components from a Composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of separating one or more components from a feed composition, methods of desorbing one or more components from an absorbent fluid, as well as systems and apparatus that can carry out the methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating one or more components from a feed composition including contacting at least some of a first component of a feed composition including the first component with an absorbent fluid, to provide a contacted composition and a used absorbent fluid including at least some of the first component contacted with the absorbent fluid. In some embodiments the absorbent fluid can be an organosilicon fluid including an organosilicon including at least one of a hydroxy group, an ether group, an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, an acrylamide group, a methacrylamide group, and a polyether group. In some embodiments, during the contacting the feed composition can be contacted to a first side of a membrane while the absorbent fluid is contacted to a second side of the membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane can be a silicone membrane.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 705,663, entitled “METHOD OF SEPARATING A GAS USING AT LEAST ONE MEMBRANE IN CONTACT WITH AN ORGANOSILICON FLUID,” filed on Sep. 26, 2012, and of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 778,952, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ONE OR MORE COMPONENTS FROM A COMPOSITION,” filed on Mar. 13, 2013, each of which applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002]Separation processes can take advantage of differences between various components of a mixture to at least partially separate (e.g., via absorption) one or more components from the mixture, and are used in a wide variety of settings. For example, separation processes can be used to purify water, to cleanse blood during dialysis, and to separate gases or vapors. Other examples can include dehumidification of air, recovery of hydrogen gas in ammonia synthesis, recovery of hydrogen in petroleum ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Various embodiments of the present invention have advantages over other methods of separating one or more components from a feed composition or systems and apparatus for carrying out separation methods, at least some of which are unexpected. In some embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can have advantages related to at least one of the absorbent fluid used and the manner in which the absorbent fluid is used. For example, in some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can be at least one of less toxic, less corrosive, less flammable, and less volatile than absorbents of other methods, systems, or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can absorb more of the one or more components to be separated per unit of mass than absorbents of other methods, systems, or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can absorb a larger mass per time of the one or more components to be separated than absorbents of other methods, systems, or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can have greater selectivity for absorption of the one or more components to be separated than absorbents of other methods, systems, or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can be regenerated with greater ease and efficiency than the absorbent fluid of other methods, systems, or apparatuses.

[0012]In some embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can separate one or more components from a mixture more efficiently (e.g., in less time, using a smaller volume of absorbent material, or using less energy) or with less expense than other methods, systems, or apparatuses, including in some embodiments at least one of water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen. In some embodiments including the use of the absorbent fluid as a sweep fluid adjacent to a membrane, the absorbent fluid can provide enhanced flux of the first component across the membrane compared to other methods of using a membrane. In some embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can separate one or more components from a feed mixture with greater speed than other methods. In some embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can regenerate or reuse the absorbent fluid with greater ease or efficiency than other methods, systems, or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can separate specific components of certain mixture with greater speed, greater efficiency, and less cost, as compared to other methods, apparatuses, and systems. In embodiments including a membrane, various embodiments of the present invention can provide more efficient separation using the membrane than other methods of separation using the membrane, and systems and apparatuses for performing the same, such as including different sweep fluids or no sweep fluid.

[0013]In some embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can be used with lower temperatures or pressures, or with smaller temperature or pressure swings, than other methods, systems, or apparatus for separation of one or more components from a composition using an absorptive process. In some embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can use a less-corrosive absorptive fluid than other methods, systems, or apparatus, which can extend system lifetime, durability, and reliability. Various embodiments of the method, system, or apparatus can have decreased costs relating to the contactor and additionally ancillary equipment costs and ancillary operating costs.

[0014]In various embodiments, the method, system, or apparatus can separate water (e.g., as a liquid or a gas) from a gaseous or liquid feed composition more efficiently than other methods, systems, or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can be more selective for water than other absorbents. In some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can absorb more water faster or with less mass of absorbent than in other methods. In some embodiments, the absorbent fluid can require less energy to desorb solutes such as water vapor than other absorbent fluids.

Problems solved by technology

Separation processes can be expensive and time consuming.