Fluoride Removal from Fluorinated Organic Compositions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to accurately measure total fluorinated organic compounds in water due to interference from free fluoride, as they do not effectively remove free fluoride while retaining the organic compounds, which is crucial for determining the fluorine content at low parts per billion levels.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the combination of a water sample with hexaalkyldisiloxane, a strong acid, and a compatibilizing solvent to form a single phase solution, where free fluoride reacts to form fluorotrialkylsilane, which is then removed, allowing for the purification of the composition and retention of fluorinated organic compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing methods are used to measure fluorine content, then measurement can be performed, but free fluoride interferes with the accurate measurement of fluorinated organic compounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracy of fluorinated organic compoundsVSAvoidinterference from free fluoride

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes free fluoride from the sample matrix before analysis. This is achieved by adding a reagent that selectively reacts with free fluoride to form a precipitate or complex that can be separated from the solution, thereby eliminating the interfering substance while retaining the fluorinated organic compounds for accurate measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reagent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the free fluoride and the measurement process. This reagent selectively binds to free fluoride, transforming it into a non-interfering form that can be easily removed or distinguished from fluorinated organic compounds during analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If methods are developed to remove free fluoride, then measurement accuracy improves, but the process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of total organic fluoride determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, or reagent concentration to optimize the selective reaction between the reagent and free fluoride. By adjusting these parameters, the method achieves high selectivity and removal efficiency without requiring complex equipment or multi-step procedures, maintaining process simplicity while improving measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If free fluoride is removed to detect low levels of fluorinated organic compounds, then detection sensitivity improves, but the risk of losing organic compounds increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capability at parts per billion levelsVSAvoidloss of fluorinated organic compounds

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of losing organic compounds during removal into a benefit by using a reagent that exhibits high selectivity. The reagent is designed to react preferentially with free fluoride under controlled conditions, allowing complete removal of fluoride while leaving fluorinated organic compounds untouched, thus achieving both sensitive detection and substance preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 method effectively removes free fluoride, achieving a greater than 99% reduction while retaining high amounts of fluorinated organic compounds, enabling accurate measurement of total organic fluoride without interference.

Implementation Method 1

reacting the free fluoride with the hexaalkyldisiloxane to form a flurorotrialkylsilane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

combining the water sample with a hexaalkyldisiloxane, a strong acid, and a compatibilizing solvent to form a single phase solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

removing the flurorotrialkylsilane to form a purified composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11919788B2Methods of removing inorganic fluoride from compositions containing fluorinated organic compounds

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Methods of treating a water sample containing both free fluoride and fluorinated organic compounds are described. The methods are effective at removing high amounts of the free fluoride while retaining high amounts of the fluorinated organic compounds. The methods include combining the water sample with a hexaalkyldisiloxane, a strong acid and a compatibilizing solvent; reacting the free fluoride with the disiloxane; and removing the fluorinated reaction product.