CaCl2 Brine Purification Using Titanium Adsorbents for Ba Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for purifying CaCl2 brine solutions contaminated with BaCl2 are energy-intensive and inefficient, particularly when attempting to meet Universal Treatment Standards (UTS) quality requirements, as crystallization and ion exchange techniques fail to effectively separate Ba and Ca ions due to their chemical similarities and solubility issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of a titanium-containing material, such as Metsorb® HMRG granules, to directly adsorb BaCl2 from CaCl2 brine solutions, allowing for effective separation without crystallization, even at varying concentrations and pH levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If crystallization is used to separate BaCl2 from CaCl2 brine, then BaCl2 separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases and capital requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBaCl2 separationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a selective adsorbent material as an intermediary substance that preferentially binds Ba2+ ions from the brine solution. This adsorbent acts as a mediator between the Ba2+ and Ca2+ ions, enabling selective removal of barium through adsorption followed by desorption and regeneration cycles, thereby avoiding the energy-intensive crystallization process while achieving the required separation precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If ion exchange resin is used to remove Ba ions, then Ba removal is attempted, but both Ca and Ba ions are removed due to overwhelming Ca concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBa ion removalVSAvoidselectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an adsorbent material with spatially differentiated binding sites that exhibit local quality - specific functional groups or regions on the adsorbent surface are designed to have high affinity for Ba2+ ions while being less reactive toward Ca2+ ions. This local differentiation in chemical properties enables selective Ba2+ removal even in the presence of overwhelming Ca2+ concentration, resolving the selectivity issue with conventional ion exchange resins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies key parameters of the separation system by using an adsorbent with optimized chemical composition, surface area, and pore structure that enhances Ba2+ selectivity. The adsorbent's parameters are specifically tuned to exploit differences in ionic radius, hydration energy, and polarizability between Ba2+ and Ca2+, enabling selective binding under process conditions where conventional ion exchange fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If CaSO4 treatment is used to form BaSO4, then BaSO4 precipitation occurs, but fine particle size causes filtration challenges and equipment deposits

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBaSO4 formationVSAvoidfiltration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with an adsorption-based separation mechanism. Instead of forming BaSO4 precipitates that require mechanical filtration and handling, the system uses a selective adsorbent to capture Ba2+ ions in solution. The adsorbent can be easily separated from the liquid phase through simple filtration or decantation, and the captured barium can be desorbed and recovered, eliminating the operational challenges of fine particle filtration and equipment deposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If BaSO4 is formed and removed by filtration, then Ba removal is achieved, but residual BaSO4 causes residue build-up when CaCl2 is diluted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBa removalVSAvoidresidue build-up

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a selective adsorbent as an intermediary that binds Ba2+ ions without forming insoluble precipitates. The adsorbent material remains in solution during the CaCl2 dilution process, preventing any residue build-up in equipment. The barium can be completely removed from the final product through the adsorption-desorption process, eliminating the harmful residual BaSO4 build-up issue that occurs with precipitation-based methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 titanium-containing material achieves significant BaCl2 removal, enabling CaCl2 brine purification suitable for UTS applications by reducing residual Ba levels to very low concentrations, thus avoiding energy-intensive crystallization and equipment deposition issues.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a CaCl2 brine containing at least some BaCl2 with a titanium containing material. Upon contacting the CaCl2 brine with the titanium containing material, BaCl2 is removed from the brine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250353755A1Separation of bacl2 from cacl2 brine solution

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for separating BaCl2 from a CaCl2) brine solution.