Fluorinated Copolymer Membranes for Selective Gas Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas separation methods, such as chemical absorption and cryogenic distillation, are energy-intensive and require toxic materials, while membrane-based methods face issues with polymer degradation and reduced selectivity due to plasticization, especially for azeotropic mixtures like R410a.

Innovation Solution

Development of amorphous fluorinated copolymers containing fluorinated dioxolane and non-dioxolane ring monomers, which are used to create membranes with improved selectivity and reliability for gas separation, avoiding the limitations of previous polymer materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical absorption or cryogenic distillation is used for gas separation, then separation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and capital equipment requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical separation systems (chemical absorption with amines, cryogenic distillation) with a membrane-based separation system that operates on physical permeability differences. The fluorinated copolymer membrane selectively permits passage of certain gases while blocking others, achieving separation without the high energy inputs required by conventional mechanical methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If chemical absorption with alkyl amines is used, then acid gas removal is improved, but material toxicity and operational safety worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacid gas removal effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity and corrosiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameters of the separation medium from toxic corrosive alkyl amines to non-toxic non-corrosive fluorinated copolymer. This parameter change maintains acid gas removal effectiveness through selective permeability while eliminating the harmful properties of the conventional absorption medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional polymer membranes are used for gas separation, then separation is achieved, but selectivity decreases due to plasticization and polymer degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas separation capabilityVSAvoidselectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite fluorinated copolymer structure combining fluorinated dioxolane ring units with other fluorinated monomers. This composite material architecture provides enhanced resistance to plasticization and degradation while maintaining gas separation capability, thereby preserving selectivity under operational conditions where conventional polymers fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If distillation is used for refrigerant separation, then separation is achieved, but it becomes impractical for azeotropic mixtures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to azeotropic mixtures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces distillation-based separation (which relies on boiling point differences) with membrane-based separation that exploits differential permeability. This substitution enables effective separation of azeotropic refrigerant mixtures like R410a, which have identical boiling points and cannot be separated by conventional distillation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 amorphous fluorinated copolymers provide superior selectivity and reliability in gas separation, reducing energy consumption and avoiding polymer degradation, making them suitable for separating azeotropic mixtures like R410a.

Implementation Method 1

Membrane-based gas separation methods operate on the principle of differential permeability of gases through the selective layer of a membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential permeability: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The membrane material in such a separation process is chosen to provide a very high permeability for one or more of the gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubility: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

The mixed gas stream is then introduced on one side of the membrane, and the high permeability gases pass preferentially through the membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS12473391B2Gas separation articles composed of amorphous fluorinated copolymers of dioxolanes and other fluorinated ring monomers and methods of making and using thereof

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 CHROMIS FIBEROPTICS INC

AI summary

Described herein are articles for separating gases. The article includes an amorphous fluorinated copolymer containing one or more types of fluorinated dioxolane ring monomers, and one or more types of fluorinated non-dioxolane ring monomers, optionally with crosslinking between the fluorinated copolymer chains. The copolymers of fluorinated dioxolane ring monomers and fluorinated non-dioxolane ring monomers show a large differential in the permeability of certain gases compared with other gases. The resulting polymer membranes have superior selectivity and reliability performance in certain gas separations compared with previous compositions known to the art. Methods for making and using the article described are also provided.