Membrane Contactor Decarboxylation for Low-Energy Diaminoalkane Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diaminoalkane purification processes require additional additives for pH control, leading to impurities, scale formation, and increased costs due to inefficient carbonate removal, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective method.
Innovation Solution
A membrane contactor separation process using a polymer membrane is combined with a decarboxylation step by distillation to efficiently remove carbon dioxide at low temperatures, eliminating the need for additives and reducing equipment burdens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional distillation separation process is used to remove carbonate, then carbonate removal can be achieved, but high energy consumption and equipment corrosion occur
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane contactor is introduced as an intermediary device between the carbonate-containing solution and the gas phase. The membrane acts as a mediator that facilitates CO2 transfer from liquid to gas phase without requiring direct contact between the solution and heating elements, enabling low-temperature operation and reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective carbonate removal
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional thermal distillation system is replaced with a membrane-based separation system. Instead of using high-temperature heating to remove carbonate, the patent uses a membrane contactor that enables CO2 removal at low temperatures through enhanced mass transfer, substituting a mechanical/thermal system with a membrane-based system
2Loss of energy
If membrane separation process is used to remove carbonate, then low energy consumption and simple process are achieved, but carbonate removal efficiency may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane contactor with thin film structure is used to provide large surface area for mass transfer. The thin film membrane enables efficient CO2 removal at low temperatures by maximizing the contact area between the carbonate-containing solution and the gas phase without requiring high energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional bulk-phase mass transfer to surface-based mass transfer by using a membrane contactor. This dimensional change from volume-based to surface-based separation enables highly efficient CO2 removal at low temperatures through the large specific surface area of the membrane
3Ease of operation
If additives are used for pH control in purification process, then pH control is achieved, but impurities and scale formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane separation process enables self-regulation of the system without requiring external additives for pH control. The low-temperature membrane-based CO2 removal inherently maintains system stability without introducing substances that could form impurities or scale, making the process self-sufficient and free from harmful byproducts
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 method achieves efficient carbon dioxide removal with low energy consumption, preventing scale-up issues and corrosion, while improving economic feasibility and efficiency by avoiding additional separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a primary decarboxylation process of using a membrane module is combined prior to a secondary decarboxylation process of removing carbon dioxide through distillation
Implementation Method 2
a secondary decarboxylation process of removing carbon dioxide through distillation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing carbon dioxide from a carbonate-containing diaminoalkane solution, the method including passing the carbonate-containing diaminoalkane solution through a membrane module, and a method of preparing diaminoalkane including the same.