Ionic Liquid Absorbent Composition to Prevent Corrosion and Crystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid absorbents used in dehumidification systems, such as aqueous solutions of chlorinated lithium, lithium bromide, lithium chloride, and calcium chloride, exhibit corrosive properties on metals, leading to reliability issues and increased costs, and suffer from crystallization and precipitation, resulting in poor performance and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

An ionic compound comprising a quaternary ammonium cationic moiety derived from 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane combined with an anionic moiety from alkyl phosphate or alkyl sulfate, which forms an absorbent with higher water-vapor absorption capacity, lower desorption temperature, and reduced corrosiveness, suitable for use in dehumidification devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional liquid absorbents (aqueous solutions of chlorinated lithium, lithium bromide, lithium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride) are used, then water vapor absorption capability is achieved, but corrosive properties on metals worsen reliability and service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater vapor absorption capabilityVSAvoidreliability and service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using organic ionic compounds (quaternary ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, sulfonium salts) instead of conventional inorganic salt solutions. This parameter change maintains water vapor absorption capability while eliminating corrosive properties, thereby improving reliability and service life of the dehumidification system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite ionic liquid absorbents formed by combining different cations (quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, or sulfonium) with various anions (halides, carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, sulfates). This composite approach enables optimization of both absorption performance and corrosion resistance through selective combination of ionic components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional salt solutions are used, then dehumidification function is provided, but crystallization and precipitation occur when saturated causing blockages and maintenance issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedehumidification functionVSAvoidcrystallization and precipitation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameters by using ionic liquids with tailored viscosity and saturation properties. The organic ionic compound absorbents maintain liquid state over a wider concentration range and temperature range, preventing crystallization and precipitation that occur with conventional salt solutions, thereby eliminating blockages and maintenance issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs ionic liquid absorbents that can be easily replaced and regenerated. The absorbents maintain stable performance without crystallization or precipitation, allowing for simplified system design with easier maintenance and replacement cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If titanium heat exchangers are used to avoid corrosion, then corrosion resistance is improved, but system cost significantly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful corrosive property of liquid absorbents into a beneficial non-corrosive ionic liquid formulation. By using organic ionic compounds with appropriate functional groups, the absorbent becomes inherently non-corrosive to common metals, allowing the use of inexpensive heat exchanger materials instead of costly titanium, thereby significantly reducing system cost while maintaining corrosion resistance

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing inorganic salt solutions with organic ionic liquids. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction between the absorbent and metal surfaces, eliminating corrosion and enabling the use of cost-effective heat exchanger materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If conventional ionic compounds are used as liquid absorbents, then some improvement over salt solutions is achieved, but corrosive properties and water vapor absorption/desorption capabilities still require improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidwater vapor absorption and desorption capabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite ionic liquid absorbents formed by combining different cations (quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, or sulfonium) with various anions (halides, carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, sulfates). This composite approach enables simultaneous optimization of both absorption performance and corrosion resistance through selective combination of ionic components, achieving higher water vapor absorption and desorption capabilities while maintaining non-corrosive properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the molecular structure parameters by introducing specific functional groups and alkyl chain lengths in the ionic liquid components. These parameter changes enhance the hydrogen bonding capability and vapor pressure characteristics, thereby improving water vapor absorption and desorption capabilities while maintaining chemical stability and non-corrosive properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ionic compound-based absorbent demonstrates enhanced dehumidification efficiency, lower energy consumption, and improved stability, with minimal metal corrosion, making it suitable for various dehumidification applications.

Implementation Method 1

The driving force is the difference between the water vapor pressure in the air and the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid absorbent surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor pressure difference: Vapour Pressure

Implementation Method 2

Liquid absorbents are liquid materials that can directly absorb water vapor from the air to achieve a dehumidification effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

low regeneration temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

higher water-vapor absorption capacity and lower desorption temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS12612404B2Ionic compound, absorbent and absorption device
Publication Date: 2026.04.28 IND TECH RES INST
  • US12612404B2 patent drawing
  • US12612404B2 patent drawing
  • US12612404B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An ionic compound, an absorbent and an absorption device are provided. The ionic compound has a structure represented by Formula (I):ABn,  Formula (I)wherein A isB isR1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently H, C1-6 alkyl group; and n is 1 or 2.