Perhalide Ionic Liquids for Hazard-Free Metal Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dissolving metals in ionic liquids require additional solvents and/or oxidizing agents, which can be hazardous and inefficient, especially when dealing with metals like mercury that react with air or form hazardous compounds like bromine and chlorine.
Innovation Solution
The use of ionic liquids comprising perhalide anions, which can dissolve metals and metal compounds without the need for additional solvents and/or oxidants, providing a stable and hydrophobic solvent system for metal extraction and remediation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional solvents and oxidizing agents are used to dissolve metals in ionic liquids, then dissolution efficiency is improved, but safety hazards and environmental risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the hazardous components (additional solvents and oxidizing agents) from the dissolution system. By using ionic liquids with perhalide anions as the sole solvent, the system eliminates the need for separate oxidizing agents like nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide, thereby maintaining dissolution efficiency while removing safety hazards associated with these additional chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid with perhalide anion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the solvent, the oxidizing agent, and the stabilizing medium. This multi-functionality allows the single substance to achieve metal dissolution without requiring additional hazardous chemicals, thus improving safety while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If traditional aqueous systems are used for metal dissolution, then extraction efficiency is improved, but stability to air and moisture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the solvent system from aqueous (water-based) to non-aqueous ionic liquid. This parameter change transforms the system's properties: the ionic liquid maintains high extraction efficiency for metals while simultaneously providing superior stability to air and moisture, eliminating the trade-off present in traditional aqueous systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of ionic liquids represents a composite material approach, combining organic cations with perhalide anions to create a novel solvent system that exhibits properties superior to traditional aqueous or organic solvents. This composite structure enables both high extraction efficiency and enhanced stability to environmental factors.
3Stability of the object's composition
If perhalide anions are used in ionic liquids, then stability to air and moisture is improved, but the ability to dissolve metals without additional oxidants must be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The ionic liquid with perhalide anion is self-sufficient for metal dissolution. The perhalide anion inherently possesses oxidizing capability, allowing the ionic liquid to dissolve metals without requiring external oxidizing agents. This self-service property simplifies the system by eliminating additional chemical components while maintaining both stability and dissolution capability.
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 allows for the efficient dissolution of metals and metal compounds, including mercury, in a non-aqueous system, reducing hazards and improving extraction efficiency while maintaining stability to air and moisture.
Implementation Method 1
the perhalide anion to three halide anions. It is believed that ionic liquids comprising perhalide ions can oxidise metals and metal compounds
Implementation Method 2
a process for dissolving metals in ionic liquids that comprise perhalide anions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for dissolving metals in perhalide containing ionic liquids, and to the extraction of metals from mineral ores; the remediation of materials contaminated with heavy, toxic or radioactive metals; and to the removal of heavy and toxic metals from hydrocarbon streams.