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 in solvent-based separation methods 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.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If solvent-based separation methods using ethanol are employed to separate trifluoroethylene from hydrogen and other gases, then the separation process can be implemented, but the environmental impact increases and production costs rise due to the need for large amounts of solvent and subsequent solvent treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the ethanol solvent from the separation process by using a membrane-based system. The membrane selectively separates trifluoroethylene from hydrogen and other gases without requiring any solvent, thereby removing the harmful environmental factors associated with solvent production, consumption, and treatment while maintaining effective separation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a membrane as an intermediary substance that enables separation without requiring ethanol solvent. The membrane acts as a selective barrier that allows trifluoroethylene to pass through while blocking hydrogen and other gases, achieving separation through the membrane's selective permeability rather than through solvent-based extraction
2Quantity of substance
If solvent-based separation methods using ethanol are employed to separate trifluoroethylene from hydrogen and other gases, then the separation process can be implemented, but production costs increase due to the need for solvent treatment and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the ethanol solvent from the separation process by using a membrane-based system. This removes the energy consumption associated with solvent heating, evaporation, and treatment, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining effective separation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical solvent-based separation system with a membrane-based separation system. This substitution eliminates the need for energy-intensive solvent treatment processes such as heating, evaporation, and distillation, thereby reducing energy consumption and production costs
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional distillation and washing stages are used to purify trifluoroethylene, then separation can be achieved, but the process complexity increases and manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the separation function into a single membrane component that performs multiple separation tasks simultaneously. Instead of using multiple sequential distillation and washing stages, the membrane system divides the feed stream into purified product and waste streams in one step, reducing process complexity while maintaining purification levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the membrane system multi-functional by enabling it to perform separation, purification, and concentration functions that traditionally required multiple separate processes. The single membrane unit handles what previously needed distillation, washing, and evaporation stages, thereby reducing overall process complexity
4Object-affected harmful factors
If membrane-based separation is used to separate trifluoroethylene from hydrogen, then environmental impact and production costs are reduced, but the ability to separate trifluoroethylene from chlorotrifluoroethylene remains challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting membrane materials with specific permeability characteristics that are optimized for separating trifluoroethylene from hydrogen. The membrane's selective properties are tailored to the specific molecular sizes and permeabilities of the components, enabling effective separation while maintaining environmental and economic benefits
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 stage (a) 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
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.