Thermo-Sensitive Ionic Liquid Membrane Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane cleaning agents, such as acids, alkalis, and surfactants, cause environmental harm and can damage membranes due to extreme pH conditions, and are not effectively recoverable for reuse.
Innovation Solution
A method using a thermo-sensitive ionic liquid, with specific concentration and temperature control, to form a cleaning solution that separates into an aqueous and ionic liquid layer, allowing for effective foulant removal and easy recovery of the ionic liquid for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cleaning agents (acids, alkalis, surfactants) are used to clean membranes, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases and membrane damage occurs due to extreme pH conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of cleaning agents from extreme pH substances (acids, alkalis) to thermo-sensitive ionic liquids that operate at neutral pH. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness while eliminating membrane damage and environmental harm associated with extreme pH conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition property of thermo-sensitive ionic liquids, which change solubility and phase state with temperature. This enables effective cleaning at operating temperature and facilitates easy separation and recovery by changing temperature, replacing conventional disposable cleaning agents
2Ease of operation
If conventional disposable cleaning agents are used, then cleaning procedure is simple, but agent recovery is difficult and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the temperature-dependent phase transition of thermo-sensitive ionic liquids. During cleaning, the ionic liquid is in a soluble state; after cleaning, temperature change induces phase separation, enabling easy recovery and reuse of the cleaning agent without complex separation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery system for cleaning agents by utilizing the unique thermal response of ionic liquids. Instead of discarding used cleaning agents, the system recovers and reuses them through temperature-controlled phase separation, reducing waste and environmental pollution
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 method effectively cleans membranes with reduced environmental impact and minimizes membrane damage by using a thermo-sensitive ionic liquid that can be reused, achieving high flux recovery rates and maintaining membrane performance.
Implementation Method 1
layering the cleaning solution to form an aqueous layer and an ionic liquid layer at a specific temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning membrane is provided. The method includes, providing a membrane, introducing a thermo-sensitive ionic liquid to contact the membrane and perform a cleaning procedure to collect a cleaning solution, and layering the cleaning solution to form an aqueous layer and an ionic liquid layer at a specific temperature.