Selective Membrane Separation for N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycine Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved processes to concentrate and purify N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product in aqueous process streams that utilize selective membrane separation techniques, aiming to reduce operating costs and maximize recovery of the product from aqueous process slurries comprising N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product crystals and a mother liquor.
Innovation Solution
The process involves oxidizing N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid in an oxidation reaction to produce an aqueous oxidation reaction solution, precipitating N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine crystals, and then using selective membrane separation to enrich the product in a retentate while removing impurities in the permeate, with options for recycling the permeate to reduce water evaporation needs in subsequent crystallization steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional concentration methods (evaporation, crystallization) are used to concentrate N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product, then product concentration is improved, but energy consumption and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal evaporation and crystallization methods with selective membrane separation technology. The membrane system uses physical selective permeability rather than thermal energy to separate water from the glyphosate product, thereby concentrating the product while significantly reducing energy consumption. The membrane process operates at lower temperatures and avoids the high energy inputs required for evaporation and crystallization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from thermal-based (evaporation, crystallization) to membrane-based separation. By altering the fundamental separation parameter from temperature-driven phase changes to pressure-driven selective permeation through membranes, the process achieves product concentration with reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used to remove impurities, then product purity is improved, but processing complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step purification systems (including evaporation, crystallization, and filtration) with a selective membrane separation system. The membrane process provides effective impurity removal in a single integrated step, reducing processing complexity while maintaining high product purity. The selective permeability of the membrane allows water and impurities to be separated from the glyphosate product more simply than conventional methods.
3Quantity of substance
If water is removed through evaporation to concentrate product, then product concentration is improved, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes thermal evaporation with selective membrane separation to remove water from the glyphosate solution. Instead of using heat to evaporate water and concentrate the product, the membrane process uses selective permeability to allow water to pass through while retaining the glyphosate, thereby achieving concentration without the energy losses associated with evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the water removal mechanism from thermal evaporation to membrane-based selective permeation. This parameter change eliminates the need for high-temperature heating and associated energy losses, achieving water removal and product concentration through a lower-energy membrane separation process.
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 effectively reduces energy requirements and operating costs associated with concentrating and precipitating N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, while achieving high product recovery and purity, making it suitable for commercial applications.
Implementation Method 1
The process involves oxidizing N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid in an oxidation reaction to produce an aqueous oxidation reaction solution, precipitating N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine crystals, and then using selective membrane separation to enrich the product in a retentate while removing impurities in the permeate
Implementation Method 2
One of the more widely accepted methods of making N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine products includes the catalyzed liquid phase oxidative cleavage of a carboxymethyl substituent from an N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (PMIDA) substrate
Implementation Method 3
N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product crystals are precipitated from the aqueous oxidation reaction solution to produce an aqueous product slurry comprising precipitated N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product crystals and mother liquor
Data Source
AI summary
Processes for the preparation, concentration and recovery an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product from aqueous process streams including contacting mother liquor generated in the precipitation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product crystals with a selective membrane to produce a retentate enriched N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product and a permeate depleted in N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product are disclosed.