Ionic Liquid Solvent Gas Separation Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current separation techniques for process streams, such as distillation and ionic liquid membranes, are inefficient and costly due to high reflux ratios, membrane diffusion limitations, and inefficient recovery of separated components, particularly when dealing with gaseous components with close boiling points or those requiring significant capital expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an ionic liquid solvent to capture and recover gaseous components from process streams, including a separator and regenerator, which selectively captures and regenerates the solvent, allowing for efficient separation and recovery of gaseous components like ethylene and isobutane, while potentially using a membrane unit for uncaptured components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional distillation is used to separate gaseous components with close boiling points, then separation can be achieved, but a large number of stages and high reflux ratios are required making it cost-prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the separation system by introducing ionic liquid solvents with specific properties (negligible vapor pressure, high selectivity) to replace conventional distillation parameters (reflux ratios, number of stages), achieving efficient separation without the complexity of multiple stages
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid solvent acts as an intermediary substance that selectively captures gaseous components from the process stream, enabling separation without requiring the complex multi-stage distillation process. The solvent mediates between the gas components and the separation system
2Manufacturing precision
If ionic liquid membranes are used for absorption, then separation can be achieved, but membrane diffusion rates are limited resulting in poor flux or requiring significant capital expenditure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ionic liquid solvent as an intermediary absorption medium that provides both high selectivity and adequate flux rates, overcoming the limitation of ionic liquid membranes where the membrane structure itself restricts diffusion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid-based absorption system (hydraulic approach) using ionic liquid solvents instead of membrane-based separation, allowing for better mass transfer and flux rates while maintaining selectivity through the solvent's chemical properties
3Manufacturing precision
If aqueous solutions of metal salts are used for absorption, then separation can be achieved, but water vapor pressure causes inefficient recovery requiring de-watering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the aqueous solvent system with an ionic liquid solvent that has negligible vapor pressure, eliminating the problem of water carryover and the need for de-watering operations, making the solvent effectively non-volatile and reusable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of solvent vapor pressure by using ionic liquids instead of aqueous solutions, transforming the recovery process from inefficient (with water carryover) to efficient (with negligible vapor pressure and no de-watering required)
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 approach enhances process efficiency by selectively capturing and recovering gaseous components with high purity, reducing the need for additional separation equipment and capital costs, and minimizing solvent loss due to negligible vapor pressure of the ionic liquid solvent.
Implementation Method 1
capturing at least a portion of the gaseous component from the process stream by an ionic liquid solvent
Implementation Method 2
recovering at least a portion of a captured gaseous component from the ionic liquid solvent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a process stream comprising a gaseous component, capture the gaseous component from the process stream by an ionic liquid solvent of a separator, and recover a captured gaseous component from the ionic liquid solvent in a regenerator. A second gaseous component from the process stream may be captured by the ionic liquid solvent of the separator, and the second gaseous component may be recovered from the ionic liquid solvent in the regenerator. Alternatively, the second gaseous component from the process stream may be uncaptured by the ionic liquid solvent, and the uncaptured second gaseous component may be recovered from a membrane unit.