Electrokinetic Migration Through Liquid Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating, purifying, and concentrating organic compounds from complex mixtures or low-concentration solutions are time-consuming, generate significant waste organic solvents, and have low yields, with electrokinetic migration processes being slow and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A device and process utilizing a hydrophilic donor and acceptor solution with a liquid membrane containing an immobilized organic solvent, separated by electrodes, to facilitate electrokinetic migration of ionized organic compounds, enhancing purification, concentration, and enrichment while minimizing solvent use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electrokinetic migration is used for isolation and purification of organic compounds, then the speed of the process is improved, but the efficiency and yield remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the aqueous phase to control the ionization state of organic compounds. By adjusting pH to values below pKa-2 or above pKa+2, the compound becomes highly ionized (99% or more), which dramatically enhances its migration speed through the liquid membrane under an applied electric field, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid membrane containing an immobilized organic solvent as an intermediary between the aqueous donor phase and acceptor phase. This liquid membrane enables selective transport of ionized organic compounds through electrokinetic migration while preventing back-diffusion, thus improving both the speed and efficiency of isolation and purification
2Quantity of substance
If traditional extraction methods are used, then isolation can be achieved, but significant waste organic solvents are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary component (ionized organic compound) from the aqueous phase through the liquid membrane into the acceptor phase, avoiding the need for large volumes of organic solvents used in traditional extraction methods. The liquid membrane acts as a selective barrier that transfers only the target compound, minimizing solvent waste while achieving high isolation yields
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the pH parameter to ensure complete ionization of the organic compound, the patent enables selective transfer through the liquid membrane without requiring traditional organic solvents. This parameter change allows the compound to be transported in its ionized form, eliminating the need for large amounts of organic extraction solvents
3Quantity of substance
If microextraction based on diffusion is used, then enrichment can be achieved, but the process is slow and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive diffusion mechanism with active electrokinetic migration by applying an electric field across the liquid membrane. This substitution of the transport mechanism dramatically accelerates the transfer of ionized organic compounds from the donor phase to the acceptor phase, achieving high enrichment in minutes rather than hours or days
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid membrane serves as an intermediary that enables rapid electrokinetic migration of ionized compounds. By immobilizing the organic solvent in a liquid membrane configuration, the patent creates a conductive pathway that facilitates fast ion transport under an applied electric field, replacing slow diffusion-based microextraction methods
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 process achieves rapid, high-yield isolation and purification of organic compounds with reduced solvent waste, demonstrating improved efficiency and selectivity compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid membrane comprising an immobilized organic solvent, which membrane is placed in fluid contact with both said donor solution and said acceptor solution so that it separates said donor solution and said acceptor solution, and through which organic solvent a current and said at least one ionized organic compound can traverse
Data Source
AI summary
Device and Process for isolating, purifying, concentrating and/or enriching at least one organic compound by electrokinetic migration through liquid membranes by use of an electronic potential and chambers with a preset pH value is described in the present application. The liquid membranes contain an organic solvent capable of transporting an ionized form of said at least one organic compound.