Ionic Liquid Decoloring via UV Irradiation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-purity ionic liquids require additional purification systems and methods when discolored due to heat treatment, increasing processing costs and making them difficult to reuse effectively in organic material purification.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the decoloration of discolored ionic liquids through UV irradiation, specifically using UV rays corresponding to the absorption wavelength of the cation in the ionic liquid, to restore their high-purity state and enable reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If additional purification systems and methods are used to restore high-purity state to discolored ionic liquids, then purity is improved, but device complexity and processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepurityVSAvoidpurification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical purification systems with a photochemical method using UV irradiation. Instead of using additional purification equipment and processes, the discolored ionic liquid is treated with UV light at specific wavelengths to degrade colored impurities, thereby restoring its appearance and purity without requiring complex purification infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of light wavelength to achieve purification. By selecting specific UV wavelengths that correspond to the absorption wavelengths of colored impurities in the ionic liquid, the method selectively degrades these impurities while leaving the ionic liquid intact, thus improving purity through parameter optimization rather than complex processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If additional purification systems and methods are used to restore high-purity state to discolored ionic liquids, then purity is improved, but processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepurityVSAvoidprocessing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive additional purification systems with a cost-effective photochemical treatment method. UV irradiation using lamps or sunlight at specific wavelengths can degrade colored impurities without requiring complex equipment, thereby reducing processing costs while maintaining purity improvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, inexpensive UV irradiation approach that can be performed using readily available UV light sources. This method avoids the need for expensive specialized purification equipment, making the process economically viable for restoring discolored ionic liquids to high-purity state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If UV irradiation is used to decolor discolored ionic liquids, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoloring process simplicityVSAvoidUV irradiation energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic or intermittent UV irradiation rather than continuous treatment. By irradiating the discolored ionic liquid at specific time intervals or for predetermined durations, the method achieves effective decoloring while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous UV exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies UV irradiation selectively at wavelengths corresponding to the absorption peaks of colored impurities rather than using full-spectrum UV. This partial action approach targets only the problematic wavelengths, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective decoloring performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 decolors and reuses discolored ionic liquids, improving their purity from 81% to 98%, similar to the initial state, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the purification process.

Implementation Method 1

decoloring the discolored ionic liquid through irradiation with UV rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

irradiating the discolored ionic liquid with UV rays in a UV range corresponding to an absorption wavelength of the cation contained in the ionic liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10618027B2Method for decoloring ionic liquid

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 IND ACADEMIC COOP FOUND CHOSUN UNIV

AI summary

A method of decoloring an ionic liquid includes preparing a discolored ionic liquid, and decoloring the discolored ionic liquid through irradiation with UV rays. An ionic liquid that is discolored due to heat treatment upon purification is decolored and can thus be reused. The method of decoloring the ionic liquid is effective because an ionic liquid, which is discolored due to heat treatment upon purification, can be decolored in a simple manner and also because an ionic liquid, which is discolored and is thus difficult to apply to the purification of an organic material, can be decolored in a simple manner, and can thus be reused in the form of a high-purity ionic liquid.