Adsorbent Composition for Heat Transfer Fluid Acid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing acidic contaminants from heat transfer fluids, such as distillation and alkali wash, are inefficient and result in significant fluid loss and hazardous waste, especially when contaminants have similar boiling points or require tedious moisture removal.
Innovation Solution
An adsorbent composition comprising layered double hydroxide, alumina, and optionally activated bauxite, with specific particle size, bulk density, and porosity, is used to chemisorb acidic contaminants, reducing the total acid number (TAN) of heat transfer fluids through a process involving mixing, grinding, agglomeration, extrusion, drying, and calcination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If distillation is used to remove acidic contaminants, then contaminants can be separated, but contaminants with similar boiling points cannot be removed and significant fluid loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous adsorbent material comprising activated alumina and activated bauxite with specific surface area (150-300 m²/g) and pore volume (0.3-0.6 cm³/g) to adsorb acidic contaminants from heat transfer fluid. The porous structure provides high surface area for contaminant uptake while maintaining fluid integrity, eliminating the fluid loss problem associated with distillation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical separation process of distillation with a chemical adsorption process. The adsorbent material chemically binds acidic contaminants through surface reactions, enabling effective removal of contaminants with similar boiling points that cannot be separated by conventional distillation methods.
2Quantity of substance
If alkali wash is used to remove acidic contaminants, then contaminants can be removed, but traces of moisture removal is tedious and substantial fluid loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-step alkali wash process with a single-pass adsorption process. The adsorbent material simultaneously removes acidic contaminants and moisture through its porous structure and surface chemistry, eliminating the tedious sequential operations required in conventional alkali washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous adsorbent material with optimized pore size distribution (0.5-2.0 µm) and high surface area enables simultaneous uptake of both acidic contaminants and moisture in a single contact, drastically reducing the time required compared to the multi-stage alkali wash and moisture removal process.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional adsorbents are used, then acidic contaminants can be removed, but adsorption capacity is insufficient and fluid loss is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite adsorbent material by combining activated alumina (40-60 wt%) and activated bauxite (40-60 wt%) in specific ratios. This composite structure synergistically enhances adsorption capacity for acidic contaminants while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing fluid loss through optimized pore architecture and surface properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes critical parameters of the adsorbent material including surface area (150-300 m²/g), pore volume (0.3-0.6 cm³/g), and particle size (0.5-2.0 mm) to maximize adsorption capacity. These parameter optimizations enable high contaminant uptake while preventing excessive fluid retention that would lead to fluid loss.
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
The adsorbent composition effectively increases the pH of heat transfer fluids from below 4 to 6.5-7.5, removing over 90% of acidic contaminants without interrupting the process and allowing for recycling, thus reducing equipment corrosion risks and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
Chemisorption refers to adsorption method wherein the adsorbed material(s) is/are held by chemical bonds.
Implementation Method 2
The adsorbent composition comprises a layered double hydroxide... alumina... and optionally activated bauxite... The adsorption capacity of the adsorbent composition is in the range of 58 to 60 gm/gm.
Data Source
AI summary
An adsorbent composition for reducing impurities of heat transfer fluids is provided and a process for the preparation of the same. The adsorbent composition comprises a layered double hydroxide in an amount in the range of 15 to 70 wt % of the total mass of the composition; alumina in an amount in the range of 30 to 85 wt % of the total mass of the composition; and optionally activated bauxite in an amount in the range of 15 to 50 wt % of the total mass of the composition. The adsorbent composition is economical and eco-friendly, having feed processing capacity in the range of 58 to 600 gm/gm.