Forward Osmosis Dehydration of Organic Solvent Feed Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dewatering feed solutions comprising organic solvents and water require a large amount of draw solution and do not achieve high efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A feed solution flow dewatering system and method utilizing countercurrent or cocurrent flow through a forward osmosis membrane, where water from the feed solution migrates into a draw solution flow, achieving a dewatered feed solution and a hydrated draw solution with a higher saturated water content, thereby reducing the amount of draw solution needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large amount of draw solution is used for dewatering feed solution, then the dewatering process can be carried out, but the dewatering efficiency is not high and the amount of draw solution required is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the saturation water content parameter of the draw solution by selecting specific organic solvents (tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, t-butyl methyl ether) that have higher saturation water content than water. This parameter change enables the draw solution to accept more water from the feed solution, improving dewatering efficiency while reducing the amount of draw solution needed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition properties of water between the feed solution and draw solution through the forward osmosis membrane. Water transitions from the feed solution phase to the draw solution phase driven by the osmotic pressure difference, achieving efficient water transfer without requiring excessive draw solution
2Productivity
If conventional forward osmosis process is used to dewater feed solution, then water can be removed, but a large amount of draw solution is necessary and efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the draw solution composition to achieve higher saturation water content, which fundamentally changes the driving force and efficiency of the forward osmosis process. This parameter change in the draw solution enables higher dewatering efficiency without increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the forward osmosis membrane process as a template but improves it by replacing the conventional draw solution with organic solvent-based draw solutions that have superior water acceptance properties, achieving better efficiency with the same basic system structure
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 system achieves high dewatering efficiency with a reduced amount of draw solution, allowing for efficient dewatering of feed solutions containing organic solvents and solutes without heating or special pretreatment, suitable for pharmaceuticals and development pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
a feed solution flow comprising water and an organic solvent, and a draw solution flow, are caused to flow in countercurrent flow or cocurrent flow through a forward osmosis membrane, and the water in the feed solution flow is caused to pass through the forward osmosis membrane and migrate into the draw solution flow
Data Source
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AI summary
A raw material liquid flow dehydration system in which an induction liquid flow and a raw material liquid flow that contains water and an organic solvent are channeled in a counter flow or a parallel flow via a forward osmosis membrane, and in which the water contained in the raw material liquid flow is passed through the forward osmosis membrane and moved to the induction liquid flow, as a result of which a dehydration raw material liquid flow, which is a dehydrated raw material liquid flow, and a hydration induction liquid flow, which is a hydrated induction liquid flow, are obtained, wherein the saturated water content of the induction liquid flow is greater than the saturated water content of the raw material liquid flow.