Polychloride Chlorine Storage with Protic Release Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of compressed gas cylinders for storing and transporting chlorine gas is cumbersome and poses safety risks due to their weight and the need for special handling and safety precautions, and existing chlorine storage methods based on adsorption have low chlorine loading capacities and lack controlled release capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method using polychlorides as a storage medium, where chlorine gas is released by adding a protic liquid release agent, allowing for controlled and targeted release of chlorine gas at atmospheric pressure, separate from the reaction space to prevent mixing with reactants and products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If pressurized gas cylinders are used to store chlorine gas, then chlorine can be stored and transported, but the cylinders become heavy and require special safety precautions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine storage capacityVSAvoidcylinder weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of chlorine from compressed gas to dissolved/complexed form in a liquid storage solution. Chlorine is stored as molecular chlorine (Cl2) dissolved in a suitable liquid medium or as chlorinated complexes, transforming the storage parameters from high pressure gas to liquid-phase dissolution, thereby eliminating the need for heavy pressurized cylinders while maintaining storage capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A liquid storage medium acts as an intermediary between the chlorine source and the reaction system. This medium dissolves or complexes with chlorine to form a stable storage solution that can be handled in ordinary containers, mediating the transition from hazardous compressed gas to manageable liquid form that releases chlorine on demand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If pressurized gas cylinders are used, then chlorine can be supplied, but special safety precautions and thick-walled containers are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine supply capabilityVSAvoidstorage system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention fundamentally changes the storage parameters from high-pressure gas storage to liquid-phase dissolution or complexation. This parameter transformation allows chlorine to be stored in ordinary chemical containers without requiring thick-walled pressure vessels, special safety valves, or complex regulation systems, thereby simplifying the entire storage and handling apparatus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system uses simple, inexpensive containers that can be readily disposed of or replaced after use, eliminating the need for expensive, heavy-duty pressure cylinders that require inspection, maintenance, and special handling procedures. The storage medium itself can be regenerated or replaced in simple operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stress or pressure

If adsorption-based storage materials are used, then chlorine can be stored at low pressure, but the chlorine loading capacity is very low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage pressureVSAvoidchlorin loading capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the interaction mechanism from weak physical adsorption to strong chemical dissolution or complexation. Instead of relying on physisorption in porous materials which has low capacity, the system uses chemical dissolution of Cl2 in liquid media or formation of stable chlorinated complexes, dramatically increasing the amount of chlorine that can be stored per unit volume while maintaining ambient pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system employs a composite approach combining a liquid storage medium with chlorine-donating compounds or complexes. This composite system achieves high chlorine loading by utilizing both the solvent capacity of the liquid medium and the chlorine-binding affinity of dissolved species, creating a synergistic storage system that exceeds the capacity of simple adsorption materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Quantity of substance

If adsorption-based storage materials are used, then chlorine can be stored, but controlled release of chlorine is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine storageVSAvoidcontrolled release capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic control mechanisms where chlorine release is not passive but actively regulated. The system employs controllable factors such as pH adjustment, temperature variation, addition of competing ligands, or redox reactions to dynamically control the equilibrium between stored and released chlorine, enabling precise on-demand release rather than uncontrolled desorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the release of chlorine is monitored and regulated based on reaction progress or demand signals. The equilibrium between stored and free chlorine can be adjusted in response to system conditions, creating a self-regulating or externally controllable release mechanism that responds to operational needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables efficient, safe, and controlled release of chlorine gas for chemical reactions, improving handling and safety by allowing storage in common containers and precise dosage, with high chlorine loading capacities and flexible release control.

Implementation Method 1

Various chlorine storage systems based on chlorine adsorption onto porous solids are known and described in the prior art. However, the technical implementation of such chlorine storage systems is generally not economically viable. The chlorine loading (g chlorine per g storage material) of such storage materials is very low, as there is only a physical interaction between the porous solid and the chlorine.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

there are also salts that exhibit a high affinity for chlorine gas. For example, ionic compounds consisting of organic cations and chloride store chlorine gas in the form of so-called polychlorides (Cl− with x > 1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

A method using polychlorides as a storage medium, where chlorine gas is released by adding a protic liquid release agent, allowing for controlled and targeted release of chlorine gas at atmospheric pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3805150B1Method for releasing chlorine gas from polychloride-based storage media using chlorine-releasing agents and use in chemical reactions
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG

AI summary

A method for the targeted release of chlorine gas from polychloride-based storage media using protic release agents and the utilization of the chlorine in chemical reactions is described.