Electrochemical Conversion of Metal Metaborate to Boric Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing metal borohydrides, such as sodium borohydride, result in significant waste production, including metaborates with no major applications, and generate harmful byproducts like sodium sulfate and chlorine gas.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing metal metaborate or its hydrate as a boron source to produce metal borohydride through a reaction with metal hydride and trimethyl borate, which is formed from boric acid and methanol, within an electrochemical cell that converts metaborate to boric acid, thereby creating a circular and waste-free process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional methods (Bayer process or Brown-Schlesinger process) are used to produce metal borohydride, then metal borohydride can be produced, but significant waste is generated including metaborates, sodium sulfate, and chlorine gas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers metaborate (previously discarded waste) and converts it back to boric acid through electrochemical oxidation, which then reacts with hydrogen to regenerate metal borohydride. This closes the material loop and eliminates waste disposal issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful waste product metaborate into a valuable intermediate (boric acid) that can be used to regenerate the desired product (metal borohydride). The electrochemical oxidation of metaborate to boric acid transforms a waste stream into a useful chemical feedstock.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional methods are used to produce metal borohydride, then the product can be obtained, but harmful byproducts like chlorine gas and sodium sulfate are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates harmful byproducts by using electrochemical oxidation instead of chemical oxidation with sulfuric acid. This replaces the generation of harmful substances (chlorine gas, sodium sulfate) with a clean electrochemical process that produces only oxygen gas and water as byproducts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces chemical reaction mechanisms (using sulfuric acid to oxidize metaborate) with electrochemical mechanisms (using electrical current to oxidize metaborate at the anode). This substitution eliminates the need for harmful chemical reagents and their associated harmful byproducts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If metaborate is produced as a byproduct of metal borohydride usage, then the application function is fulfilled, but the metaborate has no major applications and becomes waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes a recovery loop where metaborate (previously discarded) is electrochemically oxidized to boric acid, which then reacts with hydrogen to regenerate metal borohydride. This transforms a dead-end waste product into a recyclable intermediate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the metaborate byproduct serve multiple functions: it is first produced as a result of the borohydride application, then converted to boric acid for potential direct use, and finally regenerated back to borohydride to close the loop. This multi-functionality eliminates waste and creates a circular economy.
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 eliminates waste production, reduces environmental impact by avoiding harmful byproducts, and enhances the sustainability of metal borohydride production by utilizing renewable energy in the electrochemical processes.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical cell is used for the conversion of metal metaborate and water, H2O, to boric acid, in the electrochemical cell according to, at least substantially, an overall reaction
Implementation Method 2
a cation exchange membrane separating the anodic half-cell and the cathodic half-cell
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of producing metal borohydride, M(BH4)n, from metal metaborate, M(BO2)n, in which M is a metal, such as a metallic metal, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal or a chemical compound behaving as a metal, and n is a valence value of the metal, metal borohydride is formed through a reaction of metal hydride, MHn, with trimethyl borate, B(OMe)3, and metal trimethyl borate is formed through a reaction of boric acid, H3BO3, with methanol, MeOH, under removal of water, H2O. An electrochemical cell is used for the conversion of metal metaborate and water, H2O, to boric acid, in the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell has an anodic half-cell and a cathodic half-cell separated by a cation exchange membrane, and a solvent and water is provided to both the anodic half-cell and the cathodic half-cell. Metal metaborate is provided to the anodic half-cell, where acid ions, H+, and electrons, e−, are generated at the anode from electrolysis of water, and H reacts with metal metaborate and water. The cation exchange membrane passes metal ions, Mn+, from the anodic half-cell to the cathodic half-cell, and metal hydroxide, M(OH)n, is formed in the cathodic half-cell.