Hexacyanoferrate Iron Removal for Liquid Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the concentration of organic compounds in industrial processes are hindered by interference from iron ions, which are commonly present in oil and mining processes, leading to inaccurate results and inefficient chemical usage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of an ammonium or alkali metal salt of hexacyanoferrate to the sample to form a reaction product with iron, allowing for its separation and minimizing interference, enabling accurate determination of organic compounds using potassium hexacyanoferrate, particularly effective in samples with high iron concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional test methods are used to determine organic compound concentration, then the determination can be performed directly, but iron ions interfere with the measurement causing inaccurate results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of organic compound determinationVSAvoidiron interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes iron ions from the liquid sample by adding hexacyanoferrate reagent, which forms an insoluble precipitate with iron. This precipitate is then separated from the sample through filtration or centrifugation, effectively removing the interfering iron ions before the organic compound determination is performed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary treatment to the sample by adding hexacyanoferrate reagent and forming the iron precipitate before the actual measurement. This pre-treatment step eliminates iron interference in advance, ensuring accurate subsequent determination of organic compounds without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If pre-treatment methods are added to remove iron interference, then measurement accuracy improves, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of organic compound determinationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful iron ions into a beneficial form by reacting them with hexacyanoferrate to form an insoluble precipitate. This transformation turns the interfering iron ions into a easily separable solid material, simplifying the removal process and improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex treatment systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of iron ions from dissolved to precipitated form by adding hexacyanoferrate reagent. This parameter change allows simple separation through filtration or centrifugation, reducing process complexity while effectively removing iron interference before measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If excess chemical reagents are used to ensure proper function, then process reliability improves, but chemical usage becomes uneconomical and non-sustainable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess function reliabilityVSAvoidchemical usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-limiting reaction where hexacyanoferrate reacts with iron ions to form a precipitate. The reaction naturally stops when iron ions are depleted or when the precipitate formation is complete, preventing excessive reagent consumption. This self-regulating mechanism ensures reliable iron removal without requiring excess chemical usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This method effectively removes iron interference, allowing for precise analysis of organic compounds, even in complex samples with high iron concentrations, thereby improving process efficiency and reducing chemical usage.

Implementation Method 1

a reagent comprising a suitable salt of hexacyanoferrate interacts with iron in a liquid sample and produces a reaction product which can be easily separated from the sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS11788936B2Method for treating a liquid sample in order to remove interference by iron
Publication Date: 2023.10.17 STERLING SPECIALTY CHEM HLDG UK LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for treating a liquid sample, which comprises disturbing iron and at least one organic compound of interest. The, the method comprises addition of a reagent comprising an ammonium salt, alkali metal salt or earth alkali metal salt of hexacyanoferrate to the sample. Iron in the sample is allowed to interact with the reagent and to form a reaction product, the reaction product of iron is separated from the sample, and the amount of the at least one compound of interest is determined from the sample. The invention relates also to use of salt of hexacyanoferrate.