Polymer Solvent Recovery via Cloud Point Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvent recovery processes from inorganic and organic solutions are energy-intensive, making them costly and inefficient, and the availability of suitable water sources for recovery is decreasing, necessitating a more effective method for solvent recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of a polymer with a predetermined cloud point temperature into an osmotic agent solution stream to create a two-phase mixture, where the polymer selectively extracts the solvent, allowing for its separation and subsequent purification, with the polymer rich phase being recycled to enhance solvent recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional energy-intensive processes are used for solvent recovery, then solvent purification can be achieved, but energy consumption and process cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the cloud point phase transition of non-ionic polymers to separate solvent from solution. When the polymer solution is heated above the cloud point temperature, the polymer precipitates out, carrying the solvent with it, while the bulk solvent remains in the aqueous phase. This phase transition mechanism enables solvent recovery without requiring high energy inputs for evaporation or distillation, achieving at least 95 wt% pure solvent recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a non-ionic polymer as an intermediary substance to facilitate solvent separation. The polymer selectively interacts with the solvent through hydrophobic effects, forming a polymer-solvent complex that can be easily separated from the aqueous phase. This intermediary approach avoids direct high-energy heating of the solvent itself, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high purification efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional solvent recovery methods are employed, then solvent can be purified, but process complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to control the cloud point of the non-ionic polymer. By heating the polymer solution to a temperature above its cloud point (typically 20-50°C above ambient), the polymer spontaneously precipitates, carrying the solvent with it. This simple temperature change triggers the separation process, eliminating the need for complex multi-step purification procedures and making the process easier to operate while achieving high solvent purity.
3Productivity
If available water sources for recovery are limited, then conventional recovery processes become less effective, but the need for solvent recovery remains critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the solvent component from the degraded water source using a non-ionic polymer. The polymer selectively binds to the solvent through hydrophobic interactions, forming a separable polymer-solvent complex. This extraction approach removes the valuable solvent component from contaminated water, allowing the water to be treated and reused, thereby increasing overall recovery efficiency even when clean water sources are limited.
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 achieves solvent recovery with a high purity of at least 95 wt % using reduced energy inputs, compared to conventional energy-intensive processes, and can be applied to various solvent recovery and desalination processes, including seawater desalination, with potential for cost reduction and efficient water recovery.
Implementation Method 1
non-ionic polymers which possess a cloud point and a hydrophobic effect
Implementation Method 2
heating the polymer solution to at least a cloud point temperature of the polymer to release the solvent from the polymer solution
Implementation Method 3
inducing a flow of water from the feed salt solution into the osmotic agent solution
Data Source
AI summary
A process for recovering solvents from inorganic and organic solutions is disclosed. The process utilizes a polymer capable of selectively extracting the solvent from the inorganic or organic solution. Introduction of the polymer into the solvent solution creates formation of a polymer-rich phase and a solute-rich phase. The recovered solvent may be separated from the polymer-rich phase by heating the polymer-rich phase to at least the cloud point of the polymer. The polymer and/or solute may be recycled for further use in the solvent recovery process.