Hydrophobic Extraction Composition for Selective Salt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for treating industrial or natural saline waters contaminated with metals and scaling ions are expensive, non-selective, and produce new contaminants, limiting their effectiveness and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-liquid extraction process using a hydrophobic organic phase comprising Cation Extracting Molecules (CEMs) and Anion Solvating Molecules (ASMs) for selective extraction of salts, followed by thermal regeneration, avoiding chemical additives and membrane fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical precipitation methods are used to extract salts from saline water, then salt extraction efficiency is improved, but new contaminants are introduced and selectivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses liquid-liquid extraction to selectively extract target salts (such as calcium, magnesium, or other scaling ions) from saline water into an organic phase containing specific extracting agents. This extraction method isolates the target substances without introducing new chemical contaminants, as the extracting agents can be regenerated and reused. The process takes out only the desired salts while leaving other components in the aqueous phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs extracting agents (such as organometallic compounds or selective chelating agents) dissolved in an organic solvent as intermediaries to transfer target salts from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. These intermediaries enable selective transport of specific ions without requiring direct chemical reactions that would produce new contaminants. The extracting agents act as mediators that can be regenerated and reused.
2Productivity
If thermal vaporization is used at high temperature (>80°C), then water evaporation rate is improved, but salt precipitation threshold decreases and scaling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase and chemical environment parameters by using liquid-liquid extraction at moderate temperatures instead of thermal vaporization. The extracting agents in the organic phase maintain their effectiveness across a wide temperature range, allowing the process to operate at lower temperatures where salt solubility is higher, thereby preventing scaling while maintaining efficient salt extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The extracting agents in the organic phase serve as intermediaries that facilitate salt transfer without requiring high-temperature vaporization. These agents enable the process to operate at lower temperatures by providing an alternative extraction mechanism that does not rely on thermal evaporation, thus avoiding the precipitation and scaling problems associated with high-temperature treatment.
3Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used, then salt extraction capability is improved, but equipment complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs extracting agents with selective affinity for target salts that automatically concentrate these salts into the organic phase through equilibrium-driven mass transfer. The system self-regulates the extraction process based on the distribution coefficients of the extracting agents, eliminating the need for complex control systems, multiple separation stages, or sophisticated equipment. The extraction occurs spontaneously based on chemical equilibrium principles.
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 process achieves efficient, selective, and cost-effective extraction of hydrophilic salts, reducing scaling and contamination, enabling safe discharge and recirculation of treated waters.
Implementation Method 1
a process for deionizing water by liquid-liquid extraction
Implementation Method 2
at least one electrically neutral, organic and hydrophobic compound able to extract (for example, to solvate, to complex or to chelate) a cation of the salts
Implementation Method 3
thermal regeneration of the liquid resin
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature-regenerated hydrophobic liquid composition includes an extracting molecule of a non-alkaline cationic species, a solvating molecule of a complimentary anionic species and a fluidizing agent. The extracting molecule of a non-alkaline cationic species is a macrocycle of which the ring is formed from 24-32 carbon atoms and has the following formula (I) or (II): wherein -n is an integer ranging from 5 to 8, -p is 1 or 2, -m is 3 or 4, -q and t, which may be identical or different, are 0, 1 or 2, -R is a tert-butyl, tert-octyl, O-methyl, O-ethyl, O-propyl, O-isopropyl, O-butyl, O-isobutyl, O-pentyl, O-hexyl, O-heptyl, O-octyl, or OCH2Phenyl group or a hydrogen atom, and —R′ and R″, which may be identical or different, are chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, heptyl and octyl groups or R′ and R″ together form a pyrrolidine, piperidine or morpholine ring.