Bicarbonate Ion Exchange for Pure Concentrated Mineral Water Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing pure magnesium hydrogen carbonate and calcium hydrogen carbonate solutions are inefficient, result in impurities, and have slow reaction rates, leading to scale formation and inconsistent water mineral content.

Innovation Solution

A process involving an anion exchanger loaded with hydrogen carbonate ions, followed by passing magnesium chloride or calcium chloride solutions through it to exchange chloride ions for bicarbonate ions, and storing the resulting solution in a pressure vessel under controlled pressure to prevent carbonate precipitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate is reacted with carbonic acid to produce magnesium hydrogen carbonate or calcium hydrogen carbonate, then pure hydrogen carbonate solution is formed, but the reaction rate is slow due to the weak acidity of carbonic acid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurity of hydrogen carbonate solutionVSAvoidreaction rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an anion exchanger as an intermediary substance to facilitate the reaction. The anion exchanger first absorbs carbon dioxide to form hydrogen carbonate ions, then exchanges these ions with magnesium or calcium salts. This intermediary mechanism bypasses the slow direct reaction between carbonate and carbonic acid, achieving both high purity and fast reaction rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If magnesium chloride or calcium chloride solution is mixed with potassium hydrogen carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate solution to produce magnesium hydrogen carbonate or calcium hydrogen carbonate, then the reaction rate is fast, but the resulting solution contains impurities (sodium chloride or potassium chloride)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction rateVSAvoidpurity of hydrogen carbonate solution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The anion exchanger serves as a mediator that selectively exchanges anions. It first takes up chloride ions from the magnesium or calcium chloride solution, then exchanges hydrogen carbonate ions in return. This selective ion exchange mechanism achieves fast reaction kinetics while maintaining high solution purity by excluding unwanted sodium or potassium chloride impurities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the anion exchanger by controlling the flow rates, concentrations, and sequence of solutions passed through the exchanger. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves both fast reaction rates and high purity outputs, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the solution is concentrated by evaporation to increase magnesium hydrogen carbonate or calcium hydrogen carbonate content, then the concentration increases, but calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate precipitates forming scale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of hydrogen carbonate solutionVSAvoidscale formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of carbon dioxide by maintaining the solution under pressurized conditions. This prevents the decomposition of hydrogen carbonate into carbonate precipitates during concentration, allowing high concentrations to be achieved without scale formation. The pressurized environment maintains CO2 in solution, stabilizing the hydrogen carbonate form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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

Produces a highly concentrated, pure magnesium hydrogen carbonate or calcium hydrogen carbonate solution with rapid reaction rates, ensuring consistent mineral content in treated water, reducing impurities and scale formation.

Implementation Method 1

A process is proposed for producing magnesium hydrogen carbonate and/or calcium hydrogen carbonate by passing a solution containing magnesium salt and/or calcium salt through an anion exchanger which is loaded with hydrogen carbonate ions, whereby the chloride ion of the solution is exchanged for the bicarbonate ion of the anion exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

storing the resulting solution in a pressure vessel under controlled pressure to prevent carbonate precipitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20260022025A1Process for producing a highly concentrated pure aqueous solution of magnesium hydrogencarbonate or calcium hydrogencarbonate and pressure vessel for storing and/or dosing the solution into the water to be optimized

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 BWT HLDG GMBH

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a process for producing magnesium hydrogen carbonate and/or calcium hydrogen carbonate. An anion exchanger loaded with bicarbonate ions is provided, and a solution containing magnesium salt and/or calcium salt is then passed through the anion exchanger.