Knitted Glass Fiber Fabric for Ionic Liquid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating ionic liquids from organic phases, particularly when the ionic liquid is dispersed in the form of ultrafine droplets, face challenges in efficient separation and require high pressure drops and costly maintenance, especially when using coalescing filters.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a knitted glass fiber fabric for phase separation, which allows for the efficient separation of ionic liquids from organic phases by introducing a dispersion into a phase separation unit with the fabric, achieving high purity separation of both phases with lower operating costs and stability issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If coalescing filters are used to separate ionic liquids from organic phases, then separation efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a knitted fabric with porous structure that allows selective passage of ionic liquid droplets through its pores while retaining them for coalescence and removal. The porous nature of the knitted fabric enables efficient separation without creating excessive pressure drops, as the open structure facilitates fluid flow while the interlaced fibers provide separation surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The knitted fabric serves as a flexible, thin membrane structure that can be integrated into phase separation equipment. Its flexible nature allows it to conform to different configurations while maintaining separation efficiency. The thin film structure reduces flow resistance compared to rigid coalescing filters, thereby lowering pressure drops while still achieving effective ionic liquid removal.
2Measurement precision
If coalescing filters are used to separate ionic liquids from organic phases, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The knitted fabric is designed as a cost-effective, easily replaceable component that can be disposed of or regenerated when worn. Its simple construction from standard knitted material makes it inexpensive to replace compared to complex coalescing filter systems, reducing maintenance burden and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters such as viscosity differences between ionic liquid and organic phase, combined with the specific pore structure and surface properties of the knitted fabric, to achieve separation without complex mechanical systems. By optimizing fabric parameters like pore size, fiber material, and knitting density, effective separation is achieved with simpler device architecture.
3Measurement precision
If conventional phase separation methods are used, then separation of ionic liquids is achieved, but large phase separators are required
Solution Approach 1:
The knitted fabric's porous structure provides a high surface area to volume ratio, enabling efficient droplet capture and coalescence within a compact configuration. The porous medium concentrates the separation action in a small volume, allowing high-purity separation without requiring large phase separator vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The knitted fabric can be nested or folded into compact configurations within the phase separator, maximizing the effective separation surface area within a limited volume. This nesting approach allows multiple separation zones to be integrated into a single compact unit, reducing overall equipment size while maintaining separation purity.
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 separates ionic liquids from organic phases with high purity and low pressure drops, maintaining performance over a long period and enabling the separation of small amounts of ionic liquid, even when dispersed in hydrocarbon phases, with a rapid separation rate and reduced need for large phase separators.
Implementation Method 1
introducing stream (S1) into a phase separation unit (PT1) comprising a knitted fabric, preferably a knitted glass fiber fabric
Implementation Method 2
The characteristics of the coalescing filter material must be such that it has a stronger affinity for the ionic liquid compared to the hydrocarbons
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for separating a phase (A) comprising at least one ionic liquid from a phase (B), phase (A) having a higher viscosity than phase (B), comprising the following steps:a) providing a stream (S1) comprising a dispersion (D1) in which phase (A) is dispersed in phase (B),b) introducing stream (S1) into a phase separation unit (PT1) comprising a knitted fabric, preferably a knitted glass fiber fabric,c) separating the dispersed phase (A) from phase (B) in the phase separation unit (PT1),d) discharging a stream (S2) comprising at least 70% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, of phase (A) from the phase separation unit (PT1), ande) discharging a stream (S3) comprising at least 70% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, of phase (B) from the phase separation unit (PT1).