Complexed Nanoparticle Material for Photothermal Solvent Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The petrochemical industry faces high energy costs and low conversion efficiency in separating and purifying nonpolar solvents due to energy-intensive distillation processes, which results in significant waste heat.
Innovation Solution
A complexed nanoparticle material comprising chalcopyrite nano cores and metal sub-nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance, enhanced by dispersants, is used to convert light into thermal energy efficiently, allowing for low-energy solvent separation and purification by distillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional distillation process is used for solvent separation, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and conversion efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional thermal distillation system with a photothermal conversion system using complexed nanoparticle materials. The nanoparticles absorb light energy and convert it directly to thermal energy, substituting the mechanical/thermal heating process with an optical-to-thermal energy conversion process that is more efficient and targeted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite nanoparticle structures combining different materials (e.g., metal cores with semiconductor shells, or vice versa) to achieve synergistic effects. The composite structure enhances both light absorption across broader spectra and photothermal conversion efficiency, thereby reducing energy consumption while improving productivity.
2Productivity
If more energy is supplied for distillation, then separation speed increases, but waste heat increases and conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The complexed nanoparticle materials self-generate thermal energy through photothermal conversion when exposed to light. The system serves itself by converting incident light directly into the thermal energy needed for separation, eliminating the need for external heating sources and reducing waste heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy input parameter from conventional thermal energy to optical energy. By using light absorption and photothermal conversion, the system achieves more efficient energy transfer with fewer losses, improving separation speed while reducing waste heat generation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If chalcopyrite nano cores are used alone, then solar absorption is good, but light to thermal energy conversion efficiency can be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite structures where chalcopyrite nano cores are combined with other materials (metal nanoparticles, semiconductors, or polymers) to form complexed nanoparticle materials. This composite approach enhances the photothermal conversion efficiency by leveraging the complementary properties of each material component.
Solution Approach 2:
The complexed nanoparticle materials serve multiple functions: they absorb solar energy, convert it to thermal energy efficiently, and can be tuned to target specific wavelengths. The multi-functional design improves both solar absorption and conversion efficiency simultaneously.
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 material effectively converts solar energy into thermal energy, reducing power consumption and time required for solvent separation, and can distinguish between solvents with similar boiling points without contaminating the product.
Implementation Method 1
the metal sub-nanoparticles can have the surface plasmon resonance to the incident light and transfer the energy to the chalcopyrite nano cores
Implementation Method 2
the complexed nanoparticle material is able to convert light into thermal energy more effectively by its improved light absorption property
Implementation Method 3
by utilizing the selection of the polarity of the dispersant... the polarity of the added dispersant is relatively close to the polarity of the solvent desired to be separated, it makes the complexed nanoparticle material prone to distribute close to the polarity to be separated
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to complexed nanoparticle materials including metal sub-nanoparticles and chalcopyrite nano cores. The metal sub-nanoparticles are distributed on the surfaces of chalcopyrite nano cores. The complexed nanoparticle materials have improved light absorption property because the surface plasmon resonance of metal nanoparticle to effectively convert light into thermal energy. The complexed nanoparticle materials further include dispersants which are attached on the surface of the complexed nanoparticle materials. A solvent mixture with similar polarity can be separated by adding the complexed nanoparticle materials with dispersants, and then irradiating sunlight through a focusing component to the solvent mixture.