Membrane Separation for Trifluoroethylene Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing processes for producing and purifying trifluoroethylene are inefficient and environmentally unfriendly, particularly due to the use of large amounts of ethanol as a solvent in separation stages, and the difficulty in separating trifluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene.
Innovation Solution
A membrane-based process is employed to separate trifluoroethylene from hydrogen and other gases, using membranes made from materials such as polyolefin, polyether, and polyimide, which selectively permeate hydrogen while retaining the fluorocarbon compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If absorption column with ethanol is used to separate hydrogen and nitrogen from VF3, then separation efficiency is improved, but environmental impact and process complexity increase due to solvent treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful ethanol solvent from the separation process entirely, replacing it with a membrane-based system that achieves separation without requiring solvent treatment infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical absorption system (ethanol-based washing columns) with a physical membrane separation system, eliminating the need for solvent circulation and treatment mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If ethanol washing and distillation stages are used for purification, then VF3 separation is achieved, but production costs increase due to solvent treatment and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ethanol solvent from the process entirely, eliminating all costs associated with solvent purchase, treatment, disposal, and regeneration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from chemical absorption (ethanol-based) to physical membrane permeation, operating under different physical parameters that reduce energy and material costs
3Manufacturing precision
If chlorotrifluoroethylene and trifluoroethylene are separated using conventional methods, then product purity is improved, but separation difficulty increases due to similar physical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting membrane materials with specific properties (hydrophobicity, pore size, molecular weight cutoff) that are particularly effective at distinguishing between the similar fluorocarbon compounds based on their subtle physical property differences
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 membrane-based process significantly reduces the environmental impact and production costs by eliminating the need for solvent treatment and simplifying the separation process, while achieving high purity levels of trifluoroethylene.
Implementation Method 1
A membrane-based process is employed to separate trifluoroethylene from hydrogen and other gases, using membranes made from materials such as polyolefin, polyether, and polyimide, which selectively permeate hydrogen while retaining the fluorocarbon compounds.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the purification of a fluorocarbon from a mixture comprising said fluorocarbon and hydrogen, said process comprising a stage of bringing said mixture into contact with a membrane M1 to form a stream F1 comprising the fluorocarbon and a stream F2 comprising the hydrogen. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of trifluoroethylene. The present invention also relates to a process for the separation of a hydrofluoroolefin or of a hydrofluoroalkane from nitrogen by membrane separation. The present invention also relates to a process for the separation of trifluoroethylene from chlorotrifluoroethylene or from a hydrofluorocarbon.