Recycling Waste Ion Exchange Materials via Size Reduction and Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion exchange processes for strengthening glass result in significant inefficiencies, with up to 95% of waste ion exchange materials being unsuitable for reuse due to lack of effective recycling methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for recycling waste ion exchange materials involving size reduction, regeneration with an aqueous solution saturated with an alkali metal salt, and separation to produce recycled ion exchange materials with enhanced alkali metal salt concentration, allowing for re-use in ion exchange processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ion exchange processes are used for strengthening glass, then glass articles can be produced with physical durability and breakage resistance, but up to 95% of the ion exchange materials become waste that is unsuitable for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by collecting waste ion exchange materials from the glass strengthening process and regenerating them through contact with aqueous solutions containing alkali metal salts. This restores the materials' effectiveness, allowing repeated reuse in ion exchange processes and eliminating the need to discard them as waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by creating a closed-loop system where the waste ion exchange materials serve their own regeneration needs. The materials are regenerated using solutions derived from the process itself, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating external resource input for material replacement.
2Device complexity
If waste ion exchange materials are disposed of after use, then the ion exchange process can be simplified, but significant material inefficiency occurs with up to 95% of materials becoming unsuitable for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition and concentration parameters of the ion exchange materials through controlled contact with aqueous solutions. By adjusting factors such as solution concentration, temperature, and contact time, the materials are regenerated to effective concentrations, enabling their continued use in ion exchange processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses aqueous solutions containing alkali metal salts as an intermediary medium to transfer active ingredients back to the ion exchange materials. This intermediary facilitates the regeneration process, allowing materials to be restored without direct complex processing of the materials themselves.
3Loss of substance
If recycling methods are developed for waste ion exchange materials, then material utilization efficiency improves, but the recycling process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the recycling process into distinct operational stages: collection of waste materials, contact with regeneration solutions, separation of regenerated materials from spent solutions, and reuse in ion exchange processes. This modular approach manages complexity by breaking down the overall recycling system into manageable, independent units.
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 method effectively recycles waste ion exchange materials, increasing the concentration of usable alkali metal salts, reducing waste, and improving the efficiency of ion exchange processes by reusing recycled materials.
Implementation Method 1
recycling waste ion exchange materials comprising a first alkali metal salt and a second alkali metal salt
Implementation Method 2
reducing the size of the waste ion exchange materials to produce a plurality of waste ion exchange particles having particle sizes from 0.10 mm to 5.0 mm
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods for recycling waste ion exchange materials comprising a first alkali metal salt and a second alkali metal salt comprising reducing the size of the waste ion exchange materials to produce a plurality of waste ion exchange particles having particle sizes from 0.10 mm to 5.0 mm, and regenerating the plurality of waste ion exchange particles to produce a plurality of regenerated ion exchange particles having a concentration of the first alkali metal salt greater than a concentration of the first alkali metal salt in the waste ion exchange materials. Systems for recycling a waste ion exchange materials comprising a first alkali metal salt and a second alkali metal salt are also disclosed.