Liquid component separations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid-liquid separation processes, such as distillation, are often energy intensive and complex, requiring large and expensive equipment with high operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a process liquid stream expansion to vaporize and freeze components, followed by direct-contact heat exchange to further separate the components without heat transfer through the expansion device, allowing energy recovery and efficient separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distillation is used for liquid-liquid separation, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transitions by expanding the liquid mixture through an expansion device, causing components to vaporize or freeze based on their phase behavior at reduced pressure. This eliminates the need for continuous heating in distillation, dramatically reducing energy consumption while achieving effective separation through differential phase changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter abruptly through an expansion device, transitioning the system from liquid phase to vapor-solid equilibrium. This parameter change enables separation based on differential phase behavior rather than differential volatility requiring continuous heating, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining separation effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If distillation towers are used for liquid-liquid separation, then separation can be achieved, but equipment size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transitions during expansion to achieve separation in a single stage rather than requiring multi-stage distillation towers. The expansion device followed by a heat exchanger replaces complex distillation equipment with simpler components, reducing equipment size and cost while maintaining separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the separation process into two distinct stages: (1) expansion and freezing of the heavier component, and (2) condensation and desublimation in the heat exchanger. This segmentation allows each stage to be performed in simple, compact equipment rather than requiring a large, complex distillation tower.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional liquid-liquid separation processes are used, then separation can be achieved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions during expansion and condensation to achieve separation without continuous energy input. The expansion device causes spontaneous vaporization and freezing, and the heat exchanger recovers latent heat during condensation and desublimation, minimizing energy loss and reducing operational costs while maintaining effective separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements thermal feedback by using the heat released during condensation and desublimation in the heat exchanger to pre-cool the incoming liquid mixture. This feedback mechanism recovers energy that would otherwise be lost, reducing operational costs while maintaining separation effectiveness.
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 enables simple, thermodynamically efficient separation of liquid components, reducing energy consumption and operational costs while recovering energy from decompression.
Implementation Method 1
The process liquid stream is expanded across the expansion device such that the first component and a first portion of the second component vaporize
Implementation Method 2
a second portion of the second component freezes to form a first solid product stream
Implementation Method 3
The first portion of the second component desublimates into the contact liquid stream as a second solid product stream
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for separating components is disclosed. A process liquid stream, containing a first component and a second component, is passed into an expansion device. The process liquid stream is expanded such that the first component and a first portion of the second component vaporize to form a process vapor stream and a second portion of the second component freezes to form a first solid product stream. The first solid product stream passes out of the expansion device. The process vapor stream passes into a direct-contact heat exchanger against a contact liquid stream. The first portion of the second component desublimates into the contact liquid stream as a second solid product stream. The contact liquid stream and the second solid product stream leave the direct-contact heat exchanger as a slurry stream. The process vapor stream leaves the direct-contact heat exchanger as a stripped process vapor stream.