Porous Material Adsorbent Aqueous Stream Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes using porous polymers with large pore diameters are ineffective in removing more soluble organic constituents from aqueous solutions, requiring excessive material and larger cleaning units, while being less efficient for poorly soluble constituents.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a porous material with pores of 0.01 to 50 μm diameter filled with an extraction liquid, followed by an adsorbent, effectively reduces concentrations of both poorly and more soluble constituents, allowing for a smaller cleaning unit and extended adsorbent lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If porous material with large pore diameters (0.1 μm or more) is used for removing hydrophobic constituents, then the removal of poorly soluble constituents is effective, but the removal of more soluble constituents becomes ineffective and requires excessive material quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is divided into two distinct functional zones: a first zone with porous material optimized for hydrophobic constituents and a second zone with adsorbent optimized for more soluble constituents. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the need for excessive material quantity while maintaining effectiveness for both constituent types.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cleaning unit are assigned different material properties: the first zone uses porous material with specific pore size (0.1 μm or more) for hydrophobic extraction, while the second zone uses adsorbent material with different characteristics for soluble constituent removal. This local differentiation of material properties enables efficient removal of both constituent types without requiring the entire system to use suboptimal materials.
2Reliability
If large amount of porous material is used to reduce concentration of soluble constituents, then removal effectiveness improves, but the dimensions of the cleaning unit become too large
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is segmented into two functional zones with different material types. The first zone handles hydrophobic constituents while the second zone handles soluble constituents, allowing each zone to be compact and optimized for its specific function rather than requiring excessive volume to handle both types simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the material parameters (pore size, surface area, chemical composition) between the two zones to match the specific removal requirements. The first zone uses larger pores for hydrophobic extraction while the second zone uses materials optimized for soluble constituent adsorption, achieving effective concentration reduction with smaller overall dimensions.
3Productivity
If porous material is used for removing soluble constituents, then some removal occurs, but the material becomes saturated quickly and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the removal function between two material types: porous material for hydrophobic constituents and adsorbent for soluble constituents. This segmentation prevents the adsorbent from being overwhelmed by hydrophobic constituents, extending its lifespan and allowing it to focus on removing soluble constituents effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous material acts as an intermediary that first removes hydrophobic constituents, preventing them from irreversibly adsorbing onto the adsorbent. This protective intermediary function extends the adsorbent's operational lifespan by preventing premature saturation with hydrophobic substances.
4Reliability
If adsorbent is used without prior extraction of hydrophobic constituents, then soluble constituents can be removed, but hydrophobic constituents irreversibly adsorb onto the adsorbent reducing its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using porous material to remove hydrophobic constituents before the process stream enters the adsorbent zone. This preliminary extraction prevents hydrophobic constituents from irreversibly adsorbing onto the adsorbent, preserving the adsorbent's effectiveness for removing soluble constituents.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous material serves as an intermediary that selectively removes hydrophobic constituents, protecting the adsorbent from direct contact with these constituents. This intermediary function prevents harmful irreversible adsorption while allowing the adsorbent to focus on its primary function of removing soluble constituents.
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 process significantly reduces concentrations of both types of organic constituents, enabling a more compact and economically attractive solution with prolonged adsorbent lifespan and efficient regeneration of extracted constituents.
Implementation Method 1
The porous material contains pores which are filled with an extraction liquid immobilized therein, for removing hydrophobic constituents from an aqueous solution
Implementation Method 2
subsequently contacting the resulting process stream with an adsorbent
Implementation Method 3
the extracted constituents can be removed from the extraction liquid in the porous material by regeneration with steam
Data Source
AI summary
A method for removing liquid, gaseous and/or dissolved constituents from an aqueous stream includes contacting the aqueous stream with a porous material and then contacting the aqueous stream with an adsorbent material. The porous material includes pores having an average diameter of approximately 0.01 μm to approximately 50 μm and an extraction liquid immobilized within at least a portion of the pores.