Selective Ionic Liquid Extraction of Transition Metals from Organic Residues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes are ineffective in recovering transition metals, particularly when present in low concentrations and as insoluble salts in common organic solvents or aqueous solutions, leading to environmental and economic impacts due to the loss of valuable metals like molybdenum and vanadium.
Innovation Solution
A process using ionic liquids with ammonium salts and chelating anions for selective recovery of transition metals from organic streams, involving melting, liquid-liquid extraction, biphasic separation, and solvent washing to isolate metals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional organic solvents or aqueous solutions are used to recover transition metals, then the process is simple, but the extraction efficiency is low and metals are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction medium by using ionic liquids with specific chelating anions (carboxylate, cyanide, hydroxide, or sulfide) instead of conventional solvents. This parameter change enables selective complexation with transition metals, achieving extraction efficiencies of 58.1% for molybdenum and 36.4% for vanadium, thereby reducing metal loss while improving extraction reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ionic liquids as intermediary substances that mediate between the organic stream containing transition metals and the recovery process. The ionic liquids with chelating anions form stable complexes with metal ions, facilitating their selective extraction and recovery, thus solving the problem of low extraction efficiency with conventional solvents.
2Reliability
If ionic liquids with chelating anions are used for metal extraction, then extraction efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into distinct functional stages: (1) contact of ionic liquid with organic stream for metal complexation, (2) separation of ionic liquid phase from organic phase, and (3) recovery of metals from ionic liquid. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving high extraction efficiency while managing process complexity through modular operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquids with chelating anions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as extraction media, form stable metal complexes, enable selective recovery of different transition metals, and can be regenerated for repeated use. This multi-functionality improves extraction efficiency while reducing the need for multiple separate process components.
3Quantity of substance
If transition metals are recovered from organic residues, then economic value increases, but environmental impact reduces due to metal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recovery system that captures transition metals (molybdenum, vanadium, nickel) from organic residues that would otherwise be discarded or wasted. The ionic liquid extraction process recovers these valuable metals in high concentrations, transforming waste streams into valuable products and reducing environmental harm while increasing economic value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful presence of transition metals in organic residues (which cause environmental pollution and economic loss) into a beneficial recovery process. By using ionic liquids with chelating anions, the metals are selectively extracted and recovered as valuable products, transforming the harmful waste stream into a resource-rich output.
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 extraction of transition metals such as molybdenum, vanadium, and nickel, with extraction efficiencies up to 58.1% and 36.4% respectively, reducing environmental impact and increasing economic recovery of valuable metals.
Implementation Method 1
feeding to a first liquid-liquid extraction unit working at a temperature of at least 150° C., said molten organic stream and said first extractor, optionally melted, and carrying out the liquid-liquid extraction
Implementation Method 2
after extraction, cooling at a temperature comprised between 0° C. (zero degrees centigrade) and 70° C. said liquid mixture, which after cooling is biphasic, and subsequently sending the biphasic mixture to a first liquid-solid separation unit
Implementation Method 3
after the first separation, the separated metal-depleted solid phase is optionally sent to a washing unit to which a solvent is fed, so as to eliminate the residual ionic liquid by keeping it into the solvent
Data Source
AI summary
There is a process for the selective recovery of transition metals from an organic stream containing transition metals. The organic stream and possibly a first extractor if solid, are melted up to the liquid state. The extractor consists of an ionic liquid or a mixture of two or more ionic liquids and the ionic liquid contains an ammonium salt as cation and as anion an anion with chelating properties. A melted organic stream and a first extractor, optionally melted, are fed to a first liquid-liquid extraction unit working at a temperature of at least 150° C. where the liquid-liquid extraction is carried out obtaining a liquid mixture containing an ionic liquid, or a mixture of two or more ionic liquids, and metals. After extraction, the liquid mixture is cooled at a temperature between 0° C. and 70° C. and becomes biphasic; then the cooled mixture is sent to a first separation unit, to separate a liquid phase that contains ionic liquids and metals, and a metal-depleted solid phase. After the first separation, the separated metal-depleted solid phase is optionally sent to a washing unit to which a solvent is fed, so as to eliminate the residual ionic liquid by transferring it into the solvent and obtaining a metal-depleted solid phase. Then the separate liquid phase containing ionic liquids and metals is sent into a liquid-liquid precipitation and separation unit, adding a counter-solvent, thereby obtaining a solid phase containing the metals and a liquid stream containing counter-solvent and ionic liquids.