Oxyethylene Polymer Membrane for Polar Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas separation membranes lack high permeability and selectivity for polar gases, are brittle, and are not efficiently produced using toxicologically acceptable liquids, making them costly and prone to cracking during handling.
Innovation Solution
A membrane is developed by polymerizing a compound with at least 75 weight % oxyethylene groups and two non-substituted vinyl groups, resulting in a high molecular weight polymer with improved permeability, selectivity, and physical strength, which is produced efficiently using water as a solvent and UV light for polymerization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gas separation membranes are used, then gas separation is achieved, but permeability and selectivity for polar gases are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using compounds with at least 75 weight % oxyethylene groups and molecular weight of at least 1500 Da, which fundamentally alters the membrane's interaction with polar gases. This compositional parameter change enables high permeability and selectivity for CO2 and H2S while maintaining ease of manufacture through polymerization of well-defined monomers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining oxyethylene groups (for polar gas interaction) with vinyl polymer backbone (for mechanical strength and processability). This composite material approach achieves both high gas separation performance and manufacturability through standard polymerization techniques.
2Strength
If membranes are made to be strong and flexible, then mechanical robustness is improved, but production efficiency and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical reinforcement systems with a chemically engineered polymer network. The vinyl polymerization creates inherent crosslinking and chain entanglement that provides mechanical strength and flexibility without requiring additional reinforcing layers or complex structural designs, thereby maintaining high production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting the molecular weight parameter (at least 1500 Da) and oxyethylene content (at least 75 weight %), the patent optimizes the balance between chain flexibility and intermolecular interactions. This parameter optimization achieves robust mechanical properties while keeping the polymerization process simple and cost-effective.
3Ease of manufacture
If membranes are made from low molecular weight compounds, then ease of processing is improved, but mechanical strength and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary molecular weight selection by choosing compounds with molecular weight of at least 1500 Da before polymerization. This preliminary action ensures that the starting materials already possess adequate chain length for mechanical strength, while the subsequent polymerization process maintains processing ease through standard techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent identifies molecular weight (at least 1500 Da) as a critical parameter that simultaneously affects both processing ease and mechanical strength. By optimizing this parameter within a specific range, the patent achieves compounds that are sufficiently processable while providing the chain length necessary for robust mechanical properties after polymerization.
4Productivity
If conventional production methods are used, then production is achieved, but environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs water as a solvent, which is inexpensive, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly compared to conventional organic solvents. Water can be easily removed after polymerization, leaving a clean polymer product. This substitution of solvent fundamentally improves environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness without compromising production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from conventional organic solvents to water, which has fundamentally different environmental and economic characteristics. This parameter change eliminates toxicological concerns, reduces disposal costs, and simplifies the production process while maintaining high productivity through efficient water removal and polymerization.
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 exhibits high permeability and selectivity for polar gases like CO2 and H2S, is robust and flexible, reducing the risk of cracking, and is produced cost-effectively using environmentally friendly methods.
Implementation Method 1
a method comprising application of a composition comprising the crosslinkable monomer to a substrate, and polymerizing the crosslinkable monomer to provide the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a membrane wherein said membrane comprises a continuous non-porous layer comprising a polymerized composition that comprised prior to polymerization at least one type of compound having a molecular weight of at least 1500 Da and comprising at least 75 weight % of oxyethylene groups and at least two polymerizable groups each comprising a non-substituted vinyl group. The invention further relates to the use of this membrane for separating polar gases and vapors.