Iron Salt Purification via pH Adjustment and Flocculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inefficient in removing metal salt co-constituents like niobium, titanium, and zirconium from iron chloride solutions, leading to precipitation issues that clog equipment and reduce the market value of iron solutions, necessitating a process to separate these impurities and concentrate iron effectively.
Innovation Solution
A process involving decreasing the free acidity of the iron-containing solution to produce a slurry, optionally heating and aging it, adding cationic polyelectrolyte flocculants, and separating the solid and liquid portions to remove metal salt co-constituents, thereby increasing the concentration of iron and reducing impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If iron salt solutions are produced from titanium dioxide manufacturing processes, then iron salt solutions can be obtained as a byproduct, but metal salt co-constituents (titanium, niobium, zirconium) precipitate as fine solids that clog equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the pH of the iron salt solution to a specific range (pH 2-4) before the fine precipitates can form and cause equipment clogging. This preliminary pH adjustment prevents the precipitation of metal salt co-constituents while maintaining iron salt solution production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the iron salt solution from highly acidic (typical of titanium dioxide manufacturing) to a controlled pH range of 2-4. This parameter change prevents the formation of fine precipitates while still allowing effective iron salt production, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful precipitate formation.
2Productivity
If metal salt co-constituents are present in iron chloride solutions, then the solutions can be produced from titanium dioxide manufacturing, but the market value of the iron solution decreases due to precipitation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the pH of the iron salt solution to a specific range (pH 2-4) before the fine precipitates can form and cause equipment clogging. This preliminary pH adjustment prevents the precipitation of metal salt co-constituents while maintaining iron salt solution production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the iron salt solution from highly acidic (typical of titanium dioxide manufacturing) to a controlled pH range of 2-4. This parameter change prevents the formation of fine precipitates while still allowing effective iron salt production, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful precipitate formation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the free acidity of the iron-containing solution is decreased to produce a slurry, then metal salt co-constituents can be separated from the iron solution, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the iron salt solution from highly acidic (typical of titanium dioxide manufacturing) to a controlled pH range of 2-4. This parameter change prevents the formation of fine precipitates while still allowing effective iron salt production, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful precipitate formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (base or alkaline agent) to adjust the pH of the iron salt solution. This intermediary mediator enables the separation of metal salt co-constituents from the iron solution by controlling the precipitation conditions, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision without excessive process complexity.
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 process effectively reduces the levels of metal salt co-constituents in iron solutions, preventing precipitation and increasing the concentration of iron, making the solution more stable and valuable for water treatment applications.
Implementation Method 1
adding one or more cationic polyelectrolyte flocculants to the slurry
Implementation Method 2
adding one or more cationic polyelectrolyte flocculants to the slurry
Implementation Method 3
decreasing the free acidity of the solution to produce a slurry
Implementation Method 4
decreasing the free acidity of the solution to produce a slurry
Implementation Method 5
optionally heating the solution or the slurry to a temperature at least 30° C.
Data Source
AI summary
A process is provided for removing metal salt co-constituents from an iron-containing solution comprising: (a) decreasing the free acidity of the solution to produce a slurry; (b) optionally heating the solution or the slurry to a temperature at least 30° C.; (c) optionally aging the slurry; (d) adding one or more cationic polyelectrolyte flocculants to the slurry; and (e) separating a solid-containing portion from a liquid portion of the slurry.