Glycerol-Derived Solvents for Plastic Depolymerization and Gas Purification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recycling plastics are inefficient, leading to high landfill rates and environmental pollution, while current solvents for hydrocarbon gas streams have limitations in CO2 and H2S removal.

Innovation Solution

Development of glycerol-derived ketone and acetal-based solvents for dissolving polymeric and oligomeric compounds, enabling effective de-polymerization of plastics and improved CO2 and H2S removal from hydrocarbon gas streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional recycling methods (melting) are used, then plastics can be processed, but the physical and mechanical properties deteriorate and molecular weight reduces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial property retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing novel solvents with specific molecular structures (glycol ethers, ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents) that enable de-polymerization at lower temperatures and different chemical conditions, avoiding the high-temperature melting process that degrades polymer properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition mechanisms in de-polymerization processes, where polymers transition from solid/viscous states to dissolved states in specialized solvents, enabling chemical breakdown into monomers without the mechanical degradation associated with melting and re-solidification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of manufacture

If plastics are disposed in landfills, then waste management is simplified, but environmental pollution increases and resource loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste management simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste plastic material into beneficial monomer products through de-polymerization. The previously harmful landfill waste becomes valuable chemical feedstocks, transforming an environmental problem into a resource recovery opportunity

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding plastics in landfills, the patent recovers monomers from waste plastics through de-polymerization processes. The discarded material is chemically broken down and recovered as reusable building blocks for new plastic production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If DMPEG solvent is used in Selexol process, then CO2 and H2S removal is achieved, but solvent capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal efficiencyVSAvoidsolvent capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent system by replacing DMPEG with novel solvents having different molecular structures and properties. These new solvents exhibit enhanced solubility parameters and interaction mechanisms with CO2 and H2S, increasing the quantity of contaminants that can be removed per unit volume of solvent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite solvent systems combining multiple components (glycol ethers, ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents) to create a synergistic solvent mixture that achieves higher contaminant capacity than individual solvents alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Quantity of substance

If ionic liquids are used as solvent substitutes, then CO2 and H2S removal capacity is improved, but viscosity increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent capacityVSAvoidfluid流动性

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using small amounts of high-capacity ionic liquid components in combination with lower-viscosity solvents. The ionic liquid provides localized high-capacity contaminant binding sites while the overall mixture maintains acceptable flow properties for industrial operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite solvent systems that combine ionic liquids with other solvent types (glycol ethers, deep eutectic solvents). This composite approach distributes the functional requirements: ionic liquids provide high contaminant capacity while partner solvents provide low viscosity and good flow characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solvents facilitate the conversion of plastics into value-added products and enhance the removal of contaminants from hydrocarbon streams, addressing inefficiencies in recycling and solvent capacity.

Implementation Method 1

The solvents disclosed herein are useful for dissolving and solubilizing polymeric and oligomeric compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The solvent dissolves undesirable chemicals, enabling their removal from the hydrocarbon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12384737B2Compounds for solubilizing polymers

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

AI summary

Disclosed are compounds and methods for solubilizing polymers and oligomers. The compounds have the formula:wherein R1, Q1 and Q2 are defined herein.