Acoustic Wave Settler for Liquid-Liquid Extraction Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-liquid extraction systems face challenges with slow purification times, high costs, and inefficiencies due to passive settling mechanisms, particularly in systems with low interfacial tension, leading to system flooding and inadequate sample purity, especially when trying to achieve high flow rates or commercial-scale purification.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an acoustic wave-assisted system that actively separates two-phase liquid mixtures, using acoustic waves to enhance coalescence and counter-current flow, allowing for rapid purification of molecules of interest away from contaminants in a continuous flow process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive settling mechanisms are used in liquid-liquid extraction systems, then system complexity is reduced, but purification time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies acoustic waves (mechanical vibration) to actively agitate the liquid phases, inducing rapid droplet coalescence and phase separation. The acoustic field generates oscillatory motion that overcomes the natural slow settling process, reducing purification time from minutes/hours to seconds while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical settling process with an acoustic field-based active separation mechanism. Instead of relying on gravity-driven slow coalescence, the system uses acoustic radiation pressure and oscillatory forces to rapidly separate phases, substituting a complex passive mechanical system with a simpler active acoustic field.
2Productivity
If flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then purification speed increases, but system flooding occurs and purity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic field provides intensive agitation that maintains droplet dispersion even at high flow rates, preventing the coalescence that leads to flooding. The oscillatory motion continuously refreshes the interface between phases, allowing rapid mass transfer without the need for slow passive settling, thus maintaining high purity at high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and interaction parameters of the liquid phases through acoustic irradiation. The acoustic field modifies droplet dynamics, interfacial tension, and mass transfer coefficients, enabling the system to operate at high flow rates without flooding while maintaining phase separation efficiency and sample purity.
3Productivity
If vigorously mixing is applied to increase purification efficiency, then mass transfer speed increases, but droplet coalescence is delayed and settling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic field provides a form of vibration that simultaneously enhances mass transfer and promotes coalescence. The oscillatory motion increases interfacial area contact for rapid molecular transfer while the acoustic radiation pressure facilitates droplet collision and coalescence, resolving the contradiction between mixing intensity and settling speed by using acoustic energy rather than mechanical agitation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces purification time and cost, increases efficiency, and enables high-purity sample extraction in a compact format, overcoming limitations of traditional systems by actively managing droplet coalescence and flow, thus achieving faster and more economical sample processing.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic wave-assisted system that actively separates two-phase liquid mixtures, using acoustic waves to enhance coalescence
Implementation Method 2
acoustic waves to enhance coalescence and counter-current flow
Implementation Method 3
liquid-liquid extraction systems or columns are designed to accomplish the transfer of a molecule of interest from a first liquid phase into a second liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
A sample purification system includes a mixing zone; a settling zone in fluid communication with the mixing zone; a mixer element disposed in the mixing zone, the mixer element being configured to mix immiscible liquids to form a mixture; and a first acoustic wave settler configured to emit an acoustic wave into the mixture.