Electromagnetic Ionic Liquid for Struvite Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult to extract struvite from seawater due to the presence of divalent and polyvalent metal ions, which often leads to the formation of flocculent precipitates, making the extraction process inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic ionic liquid is developed, comprising ammonia water, a diluent, EWT electronic water, and a complexing agent, which is used to facilitate the extraction of struvite from seawater by preventing flocculent precipitates and capturing essential trace elements, thereby improving the yield and purity of the struvite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used to extract struvite from seawater, then the extraction process is simple, but divalent and polyvalent metal ions cause flocculent precipitates to form, reducing extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic ionic liquid as an intermediary substance between the seawater and struvite. This liquid contains complexing agents that mediate the interaction between metal ions and struvite, preventing direct harmful interactions that cause flocculent precipitates while facilitating efficient extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction medium by using electromagnetic ionic liquid with specific pH, conductivity, and complexing agent concentrations. These parameter changes create an optimal extraction environment that prevents precipitate formation while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional extraction methods are used, then the process is straightforward, but the yield and purity of struvite products are reduced due to flocculent precipitates
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic ionic liquid serves as a mediating extraction agent that selectively binds to struvite while keeping it in solution, preventing co-precipitation with other metal ions. This intermediary approach achieves high purity without requiring complex separation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
By controlling the pH, ionic strength, and complexing agent concentration in the electromagnetic ionic liquid, the patent optimizes the extraction conditions to achieve high purity struvite products while maintaining a relatively simple extraction system.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods are used, then fewer chemicals are required, but trace elements necessary for crop growth are lost in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic ionic liquid acts as a selective intermediary that facilitates the co-extraction of trace elements along with struvite. The complexing agents in the liquid bind to trace metal ions, preventing their loss and ensuring they are incorporated into the final struvite product.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic ionic liquid performs multiple functions simultaneously: it extracts struvite, captures trace elements, prevents precipitate formation, and maintains solution stability. This multi-functional approach ensures comprehensive nutrient recovery in a single extraction process.
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 electromagnetic ionic liquid enhances the extraction of struvite by preventing flocculent precipitates and capturing necessary trace elements, resulting in a higher yield and purity of struvite products, making it suitable for crop growth and industrial production.
Implementation Method 1
2.4% of complexing agent... the complexing agent is selected from one or more of potassium citrate, sodium citrate, potassium silicate, sodium silicate or EDTA
Implementation Method 2
1.6% of EWT electronic water with −300 mv≤ORP≤−1000 mv and pH≥13
Implementation Method 3
A large number of free anions in the electromagnetic ionic liquid adhere to surfaces of precipitate particles, which makes the particles repel each other
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an electromagnetic ionic liquid, which consists of ammonia water, diluent, EWT electronic water and macromolecular complex. The four components are mixed evenly at normal temperature and pressure in a certain proportion to prepare the electromagnetic ionic liquid. The electromagnetic ionic liquid can be used for extracting struvite from seawater, salt water or brine, which improves quality of the struvite, facilitates its industrial production and improves yield of struvite products. In addition, with the electromagnetic ionic liquid, elements required for crop growth and dozens of types of trace elements can be captured in the precipitate, which has great social and economic value for mass production, popularization and application of the struvite.