Macroporous Alkylene-Bridged Resin for Saccharide Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current strong acid gel ion exchange resins used for chromatographic separation of sugars like fructose and glucose suffer from slow diffusion kinetics, leading to broader and lower chromatographic peaks, higher water usage, and oxidative degradation, resulting in unstable resin beds and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Polymeric macroporous alkylene-bridged strong acid cation exchange resins with higher surface area and porosity are used, offering faster diffusion and greater stability, reducing bead deformation and oxidative degradation, and allowing for higher operating pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If gel resins with larger bead sizes are used, then bed stability is improved, but diffusion kinetics slow down resulting in broader chromatographic peaks and lower recoveries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebed stabilityVSAvoiddiffusion kinetics
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs macroporous resin beads with controlled pore structures that enable rapid sugar diffusion while maintaining mechanical stability. The porous architecture provides internal surface area for ion exchange reactions without requiring small bead sizes, thus resolving the contradiction between bed stability and diffusion kinetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The resin comprises a composite structure combining crosslinked polymer matrices with controlled porosity and specific functional groups. This composite design allows simultaneous optimization of mechanical strength (for stability) and mass transfer properties (for fast diffusion kinetics).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If gel resins with smaller bead sizes are used, then diffusion kinetics improve, but bead breakage increases requiring higher crosslinking and operating pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffusion kineticsVSAvoidbead strength
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The macroporous structure provides mechanical reinforcement through the porous wall architecture, allowing smaller effective bead sizes for fast diffusion without sacrificing strength. The porous framework distributes mechanical stresses, preventing bead breakage even at smaller sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters including crosslinking density, bead size distribution, and pore size to achieve the desired balance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the resin attains both rapid diffusion kinetics and adequate mechanical strength without requiring excessive operating pressures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If gel resins are used, then ion exchange capacity is achieved, but oxidative degradation occurs reducing bed life and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion exchange capacityVSAvoidbed life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs chlorine-free, oxidation-resistant resin materials and operates under controlled conditions that minimize oxidative exposure. The resin composition and operating environment are designed to create an inert-like atmosphere that prevents oxidative degradation while maintaining ion exchange functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The resin uses a composite polymer structure with enhanced oxidation resistance. The specific polymer composition and crosslinking strategy create a chemically stable matrix that resists oxidative degradation, thereby extending bed life while preserving ion exchange capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If higher crosslinking levels are used in gel resins, then bead stability improves, but operating pressures must be increased to load effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebead stabilityVSAvoidoperating pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The macroporous structure provides mechanical strength through the porous wall architecture rather than relying solely on high crosslinking density. This allows the resin to maintain bead stability at moderate crosslinking levels, reducing the operating pressures required for effective loading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 new resin technology provides faster and more stable chromatographic separation with improved peak resolution and reduced operational issues, such as bead breakage and shrink/swell effects, leading to enhanced efficiency and longer resin bed life.

Implementation Method 1

chromatographically separate sugars including monosaccharides such as fructose and glucose using a polymeric macroporous alkylene-bridged strong acid cation exchange resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

The slowest step with a typical gel resin is the 'diffusion' of sugar molecules in and out of the resin bead. The macroporous resins yield faster diffusion as compared with current gel-type ion exchange resins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3268101B1Chromatographic separation of saccharides using polymeric macroporous alkylene-bridged resin
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3268101B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3268101B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3268101B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for chromatographically separating a first saccharide from a liquid eluent comprising the first saccharide and a second saccharide by passing the liquid eluent through a bed including a polymeric macroporous alkylene-bridged resin in calcium form.