Nanofiltration Membrane Purification for Diol and Triol Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for purifying diols and triols, such as solvent extraction and distillation, face challenges like low yield and high costs due to the difficulty in separating highly soluble products and the generation of colored impurities during heating, especially in fermentation broths containing sugars, organic acids, and proteins.
Innovation Solution
A method involving filtration of diol- or triol-containing solutions through a nanofiltration membrane with a polyamide functional layer, followed by reverse osmosis and distillation under controlled pressure and temperature, effectively removes impurities like metal catalysts, sugars, and proteins, increasing the distillation yield and achieving high purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If solvent extraction is used to purify diols and triols, then the purification process can be carried out, but the distribution of lower alcohols into the organic phase is difficult requiring special extraction solvents or multistep extraction leading to increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nanofiltration membranes with specific pore structures to separate diols and triols from fermentation broths. The membranes have pore sizes that allow selective passage of target molecules while retaining impurities, eliminating the need for expensive special extraction solvents or multistep extraction processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical extraction system with a physical membrane filtration system. Instead of using organic solvents and complex extraction equipment, the invention uses nanofiltration membranes that utilize size-based separation mechanisms to achieve purification
2Manufacturing precision
If distillation is used to purify diols and triols, then the purification process can be carried out, but distillation residues are generated leading to decrease in yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary purification through nanofiltration before distillation. By removing impurities, sugars, and proteins in advance through membrane filtration, the subsequent distillation process operates on a pre-purified stream, minimizing residue formation and maximizing yield
3Manufacturing precision
If heating is applied to diol- and triol-containing liquids from fermentation to purify them, then the purification process can be carried out, but colored impurities are generated by heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes impurities through nanofiltration before heating. By eliminating sugars, proteins, and other impurities that cause colored products upon heating, the subsequent thermal processing steps do not generate colored impurities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heating fermentation broths (which generates colored impurities) into a beneficial process by first removing the problematic components through nanofiltration. The heating step then becomes safe and effective for final purification without producing unwanted colored byproducts
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used, then the process can be carried out, but removal of impurities is incomplete requiring multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nanofiltration membranes with optimized pore structures that can simultaneously remove multiple types of impurities (proteins, sugars, salts, and other fermentation byproducts) in a single filtration step, replacing multiple sequential purification operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple purification functions into a single nanofiltration step. The membrane system simultaneously performs separation, concentration, and preliminary purification that would traditionally require multiple distinct process steps
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 method significantly increases the distillation yield and achieves high-purity diol or triol production by efficiently removing impurities, improving the overall efficiency of the purification process.
Implementation Method 1
filtering a solution containing said at least one type of diols or at least one type of triols solution through a nanofiltration membrane having a polyamide-containing functional layer
Implementation Method 2
collecting the diol- or triol-containing solution from the permeate flow of said nanofiltration membrane
Implementation Method 3
a method for separating diol using a reverse osmosis membrane or a nanofiltration membrane
Implementation Method 4
distillation purification is carried out in combination with microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration or ion exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a diol or triol, which has a step of removing impurities contained in a diol- or triol-containing solution, is provided. In the method, a diol- or triol-containing solution is filtered through a nanofiltration membrane having a polyamide-containing functional layer. The diol- or triol-containing solution is then collected from the permeate flow of the nanofiltration membrane.