Hydrated Calcium and Magnesium Salt Production Without Calcination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The commercial production of portlandite (Ca(OH)2) and brucite (Mg(OH)2) is energy-intensive due to calcination-based methods, and effective extraction of divalent ions from hypersaline brines for CO2 mineralization is costly and energy-expensive.

Innovation Solution

A method involving leaching, capacitive concentration, and membrane filtration to concentrate divalent ions, followed by temperature-dependent precipitation of hydroxide salts and carbonate salts from industrial wastes and brines, utilizing waste heat and alkaline wastes for pH adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If calcination-based methods are used to produce portlandite and brucite, then high purity hydrated salts can be produced, but significant thermal energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurity of hydrated saltsVSAvoidthermal energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the production parameters from high-temperature calcination to low-temperature precipitation by adjusting pH and temperature conditions. This allows production of high-purity portlandite and brucite without requiring significant thermal energy input, directly resolving the contradiction between product purity and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical calcination process with a chemical precipitation process using pH adjustment. This substitution eliminates the need for high-temperature heating while achieving the same product quality, thereby reducing thermal energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If divalent ions are extracted from hypersaline brines through conventional methods, then CO2 mineralization can be achieved, but the process is costly and energy-expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 mineralization efficiencyVSAvoidenergy expense

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service principles by using the brine's own alkalinity and divalent ion content to drive the CO2 mineralization process. The natural composition of the brine serves the dual purpose of both the reaction medium and the reactant source, eliminating the need for external energy-intensive ion extraction systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the brine multi-functional by utilizing it simultaneously as the reaction medium, the source of divalent ions, and the source of alkalinity. This universal use of the brine eliminates the need for separate ion extraction and purification processes, significantly reducing energy expenses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If divalent ions are extracted from hypersaline brines, then carbonate solids can be produced, but the extraction process is costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbonate solid productionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful characteristic of hypersaline brines (high salt content) into a beneficial feature. The high concentration of divalent ions in the brine, which would normally be considered waste, becomes the valuable resource for carbonate production, eliminating the need for costly extraction and purification operations

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

This method reduces energy consumption and operational costs, enabling large-scale production of hydrated calcium and magnesium salts and efficient CO2 mineralization from brines.

Implementation Method 1

extracting divalent ions from solids by leaching to form a divalent ion-containing solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLeaching: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 2

subjecting the divalent ion-containing solution to concentration to form a concentrated divalent ion-containing solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive concentration: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

inducing precipitation of a divalent ion hydroxide salt from the concentrated divalent ion-containing solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 4

introducing carbon dioxide to the concentrated divalent ion-containing solution to induce precipitation of a carbonate salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS12503372B2Facile, low-energy routes for the production of hydrated calcium and magnesium salts from alkaline industrial wastes

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

Divalent ions are extracted from solids by leaching to form a divalent ion-containing solution. The divalent ion-containing solution is subjected to concentration to form a concentrated divalent ion-containing solution. Precipitation of a divalent ion hydroxide salt is induced from the concentrated divalent ion-containing solution. In other cases, the concentrated divalent ion-containing solution is exposed to carbon dioxide to induce precipitation of a divalent ion carbonate salt.