Redox Flow Electrochemical System for Solvent Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solvent removal methods, such as thermal evaporation and reverse/osmosis, are energy-intensive and can alter the end product, while being costly, and do not effectively address the need for efficient solvent extraction in industries like food and beverage processing and waste treatment.
Innovation Solution
A redox flow electrochemical system utilizing ion exchange membranes and redox-active electrolytes to drive electroosmosis and forward osmosis, separating solvents like water from solutes by applying electrical potential across electrodes and ion exchange membranes, resulting in a solvent-rich effluent and a concentrated stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal evaporation is used to remove solvent, then solvent removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and product quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal evaporation (thermal energy-based) with electrochemical methods using ion exchange membranes and electric fields. The electrodialysis process uses electrical potential to drive ion migration, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating while achieving efficient solvent removal and concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high temperature (thermal evaporation) to controlled electrical potential (electrodialysis). By applying voltage across ion exchange membranes, the system achieves solvent separation through ion migration and electroosmosis at ambient or moderate temperatures, thus reducing energy consumption and preserving product quality.
2Productivity
If thermal evaporation is used to remove solvent, then solvent removal efficiency is improved, but product quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal evaporation with electrochemical separation using ion exchange membranes. This substitution eliminates thermal stress on the product, preventing degradation of heat-sensitive compounds while maintaining high solvent removal efficiency through electric field-driven ion migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ion exchange membranes as intermediaries between the feed stream and the environment. These membranes selectively transport ions while blocking neutral molecules, enabling solvent removal through electroosmosis and ion migration without direct thermal contact, thus preserving product integrity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If reverse osmosis is used to remove solvent, then product quality is preserved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the driving force from high hydraulic pressure (reverse osmosis) to electrical potential (electrodialysis). This parameter change allows for more cost-effective implementation as electrodialysis systems can operate at lower pressures and use simpler membrane structures, reducing capital and operational costs while maintaining product quality.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If forward osmosis is used to remove solvent, then product quality is preserved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrodialysis with forward osmosis principles in an integrated system. The electrodialysis unit provides the driving force for solvent removal while the forward osmosis concentrate stream is processed further, combining the advantages of both methods to achieve cost-effective implementation with preserved product quality.
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 efficiently removes solvents without heating the product, reduces energy consumption, and produces a concentrated stream with lower salt concentration, addressing the limitations of existing methods by providing a cost-effective and efficient solvent extraction process.
Implementation Method 1
A first electrode contacts a first solution of a first redox-active electrolyte material and is configured to have a first reversible redox reaction with the first redox-active electrolyte material
Implementation Method 2
The solvent is removed from the first reservoir via electroosmosis and forward osmosis
Implementation Method 3
A first membrane having a first ion exchange type is disposed between the first and second reservoirs
Implementation Method 4
The solvent is removed from the first reservoir via electroosmosis and forward osmosis
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical system has a first reservoir receiving a feed stream. The feed stream includes a solvent and a solute different than the salt. A second reservoir receives a brine stream with a higher salt concentration higher than the feed stream. Electrodes contact a loop of redox-active electrolyte material causing reversible redox reactions. The reactions cause the loop to accept a first ion from the salt in the first reservoir and drive a second ion into the brine stream in the second reservoir. Three ionic exchange membranes of alternating type define the first and second reservoirs. A concentrate stream is output from the first reservoir, the concentrate stream having a second solute concentration greater than the first solute concentration.