Component separations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separation methods, such as distillation and crystallization, are expensive, energy-intensive, and inefficient in achieving thermodynamic purity, particularly for components that form solids, as they fail to completely separate the solid phase from other phases.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves cooling a process liquid stream to near the temperature where a second component forms a solid, then expanding it into a vessel, allowing the first component to vaporize and the second component to solidify, thereby separating the components without requiring heat transfer through the valve or vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional distillation or absorption processes are used to increase fluid purity, then separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases and complete separation is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid purityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions (vaporization and solidification) to separate components. The process liquid stream is cooled near the solidification temperature of the second component, then expanded into a vessel where the first component vaporizes and the second component solidifies, achieving complete separation through phase change differences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes temperature and pressure parameters to achieve separation. By cooling the process liquid stream to near the solidification temperature of the second component and then expanding it into a vessel, the parameters are adjusted to enable selective vaporization and solidification of different components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional separation processes are used, then some separation is achieved, but complete separation of solid phase from other phases is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation completenessVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs phase transitions to achieve complete separation. The first component vaporizes while the second component solidifies upon expansion into the vessel, allowing complete separation of the solid phase from other phases through the solid-liquid-vapor phase behavior difference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the process into distinct phases: cooling the process liquid stream to near the solidification temperature, expanding into a vessel for phase separation, vaporizing the first component, and solidifying the second component. This segmentation enables complete separation by treating each component's phase behavior independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If cooling and expansion processes are used for separation, then energy consumption is reduced, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses natural phase transitions during cooling and expansion to achieve separation without requiring additional energy input for vaporization or solidification. The process leverages the inherent phase behavior of components at different temperatures and pressures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The process allows the components to self-separate through their own phase transitions. The first component naturally vaporizes and the second component naturally solidifies upon expansion into the vessel, requiring minimal external intervention and reducing overall process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 simple and thermodynamically efficient separation of liquid components by vaporizing the first component and solidifying the second component, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

A process liquid stream, containing a first component and a second component, is cooled to near a temperature at which the second component forms a solid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Implementation Method 2

The process liquid stream is expanded into a vessel such that the first component and a first portion of the second component vaporize to form a process vapor stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a second portion of the second component forms a solid to form a solid product stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS12405055B2Component separations

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 U S BANK TRUST CO NAT ASSOC

AI summary

Methods and systems for separating components are disclosed. A process liquid stream is provided that contains a first component and a second component. The process liquid stream is cooled to near a temperature at which the second component forms a solid. The process liquid stream is expanded into a vessel such that the first component and a first portion of the second component vaporize to form a process vapor stream and a second portion of the second component forms a solid to form a solid product stream. The process vapor stream and the solid product stream are passed out of the vessel.