Amine-Activated Polymer Bodies for Halogenated Compound Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides from water are inefficient due to low adsorption capacity, posing environmental and health risks, and existing ion exchange technologies struggle to effectively treat aqueous radioactive waste and contaminated liquids.
Innovation Solution
A two-step process involving pre-treatment to reduce natural organic matter followed by treatment with an improved ion exchange medium comprising a polymer-based solid structure activated with specific amines or ammonium species, enhancing the adsorption capacity for halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides, and utilizing a combination of A-bodies and M-bodies in distinct or combined treatment vessels for efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional activated carbon or standard ion exchange resins are used for removing halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides, then the treatment process is simple and well-established, but the adsorption capacity is insufficient and removal efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a polymer matrix (polystyrene-divinylbenzene or acrylic) with specific amine functional groups (tri-n-octylamine, trioctylammonium chloride) to create an enhanced ion exchange medium. This composite structure integrates the mechanical stability of the polymer backbone with the high adsorption affinity of the amine functional groups, achieving superior adsorption capacity for halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides compared to traditional activated carbon or standard resins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials by employing a macroreticular (macroporous) resin structure with controlled pore sizes and high surface area. The macroporous architecture provides extensive internal surface area for adsorption while maintaining adequate mass transfer, allowing the amine functional groups distributed within the pores to effectively contact and bind target contaminants, thereby significantly increasing adsorption capacity
2Reliability
If standard ion exchange resins are used, then the resin structure is stable and exchange capacity is adequate, but the removal efficiency for halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical functional groups of the resin from standard cationic or anionic groups to specific amine functional groups (tri-n-octylamine or trioctylammonium chloride). This chemical parameter modification enhances the affinity and binding strength for halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides, significantly improving removal efficiency while the underlying polymer matrix (polystyrene-divinylbenzene or acrylic) maintains structural stability and reliability
3Productivity
If pre-treatment steps are added to remove natural organic matter, then the overall treatment efficiency is improved, but the process complexity and number of treatment steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the pre-treatment function (removal of natural organic matter) and the main treatment function (removal of halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides) into a single integrated ion exchange medium. The amine-functionalized resin simultaneously performs both functions through its dual affinity characteristics, eliminating the need for separate pre-treatment and treatment steps, thus improving overall efficiency while reducing process 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
Significantly increases the adsorption capacity for halogenated organic compounds and radionuclides, improving the efficiency of water treatment and enabling the safe disposal of treated liquids, surpassing the performance of traditional activated carbon methods.
Implementation Method 1
removal of halogenated organic compounds from water remains a challenge, owing to their low capacity to be adsorbed
Implementation Method 2
removal of radionuclides from aqueous liquids... owing to their low capacity to be adsorbed
Implementation Method 3
Ion exchange occurs when a liquid diffuses into the bead structure and exchange for the mobile portion of the functional group occurs
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the invention relates to a process for reducing the content of halogenated organic compounds or complexes with radionuclides in a liquid. The invention further relates to a water treatment plant and the use of a plurality of bodies for treating water and aqueous radioactive waste. The invention relates to a treatment process for preparing a treated liquid, the treatment process comprising the following treatment steps: a. providing a source liquid, the source liquid comprising: i. water at a content of at least 70 wt. %, and ii. one or more X-constituents at a total content of at least 10-10 wt. %, each X-constituent being a halogenated organic compound having 2 or more halogen atoms per molecular unit, or each X-constituent being a complex ion comprising at least one radionuclide; b. providing a plurality of solid M-bodies, each M-body comprising: i. an R-body of one or more R-constituents at a dry weight total content of at least 80 wt. %, each R-constituent being a polymer, ii. first and optionally further N-constituents adjacent to the R-body at a total dry weight content in the range from 0.1 to 10 wt. %, each N-constituent comprising an N atom present as an amine or an ammonium; iii. optionally water at a content of up to 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the M-body; c. contacting the source liquid with the plurality of M-bodies to obtain the treated liquid, the treated liquid having a lower total content of X-constituents than the source liquid, wherein at least the first N-constituents have one or more L-chains connected to the N atom, each L-chain having a C chain of length 5 or more.