Silica-Polyethyleneimine Adsorbent for Metal Removal From Amines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to effectively remove trace metal impurities from organic amine solutions due to strong bonding affinity between metal ions and amines, and incompatibility issues with conventional ion exchange resins.
Innovation Solution
Employing a silica-polyethyleneimine adsorbent, modified with branched polyethyleneimine, to adsorb metal ions from amine solutions, utilizing a batch or continuous process, and regenerating the adsorbent with weak acids to maintain efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ion exchange resins are used to remove metal ions, then metal ion removal is effective from aqueous solutions, but the resins are incompatible with amine solutions and cannot effectively remove metal ions from organic amine solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the adsorbent material by modifying silica particles with polyethyleneimine, transforming it from a conventional ion exchange resin into an amine-compatible adsorbent. This chemical modification allows the material to function effectively in organic amine solutions while maintaining metal ion removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material by combining silica particles with polyethyleneimine modifier, resulting in a hybrid adsorbent that possesses both the structural stability of silica and the metal-chelating properties of polyethyleneimine, enabling it to operate in amine solutions where conventional resins fail
2Quantity of substance
If conventional adsorbents are used, then the process is simple, but the adsorption capacity for metal impurities in organic amines is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes porous silica particles as the base structure, providing high surface area and numerous active sites for metal ion adsorption. The porous structure enables increased adsorption capacity while maintaining a relatively simple overall process design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality modification by coating the silica particle surface with polyethyleneimine, concentrating the metal-chelating functionality at the surface level while maintaining the structural integrity and porosity of the silica core, thereby enhancing adsorption capacity without excessive complexity
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
Achieves high adsorption capacity and purity levels, reducing metal impurities in amine solutions to less than 10 ppb, with over 95% removal efficiency and extended adsorbent life.
Implementation Method 1
This invention discloses the utilization of a special class of super adsorbent to remove trace metal impurities from amines. This adsorbent is based on silica particles modified with branched polyethyleneimenes.
Implementation Method 2
The amine functionality of the polyethyleneimine has a high affinity to metals, which makes this material a good candidate for the removal of metal impurities from organic amines.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a method to remove metals present in a mixture comprising one or more organic amines comprising the step of contacting the mixture with a silica-polyethyleneimine adsorbent.