Ion Exchange Resin Pretreatment With Solvent Circulation Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for pretreating ion exchange resins, such as drying under reduced pressure and passing non-aqueous solvents, are inefficient in reducing moisture content and require excessive solvent amounts, posing challenges in semiconductor production and lithium ion battery electrolyte purification.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a stock solution tank, an ion exchange resin container, and a moisture removal apparatus, with circulating solution feed pipes that return treated solvents through the ion exchange resin and moisture removal apparatus, allowing for efficient and economic moisture reduction using zeolite as a moisture adsorbent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If drying under reduced pressure is used to reduce moisture in ion exchange resin, then moisture removal is achieved, but moisture content cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of moisture removal by introducing a circulation system that passes the non-aqueous solvent repeatedly through the ion exchange resin. Instead of single-pass treatment, the solvent circulates multiple times (typically 3-10 times or more), progressively reducing moisture content to below 0.1 wt% through cumulative extraction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous circulation of the non-aqueous solvent through the ion exchange resin bed. The solvent is continuously pumped from the reservoir, passed through the resin, and returned to the reservoir for reuse. This continuous action maintains constant contact between the solvent and resin, ensuring complete moisture removal without interruption.
2Manufacturing precision
If passing non-aqueous solvent through ion exchange resin is used to reduce moisture, then moisture removal is achieved, but large amount of solvent (several tens to hundreds times resin amount) is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses the non-aqueous solvent after it has passed through the ion exchange resin. Instead of discarding the solvent after single-use, it is collected in a reservoir and pumped back through the resin for multiple reuse cycles. This recovery system reduces solvent consumption from hundreds of times resin weight to just several times resin weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the solvent itself to extract moisture from the resin, and the same solvent continues to serve this function through repeated circulation. The solvent automatically picks up moisture during circulation and can be regenerated by simple heating or continued circulation, making the system self-sufficient without requiring fresh solvent for each treatment cycle.
3Manufacturing precision
If distillation method is used to purify non-aqueous solvent, then impurities are removed, but high equipment cost and large energy consumption are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical distillation system with a simpler circulation-based extraction system. Instead of using distillation equipment (still, condenser, vacuum system) that requires significant energy input for heating and vaporization, the system uses a pump to circulate solvent through the ion exchange resin, achieving purification through adsorption rather than phase change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the purification mechanism from thermal distillation to adsorptive extraction. By altering the fundamental parameter of how impurities are removed (from heat-driven phase separation to solvent-resin interaction), the system achieves comparable or superior purification without the high energy costs of distillation equipment operation.
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 setup effectively reduces moisture content in ion exchange resins using a minimal amount of non-aqueous solvent, enhancing the purification process for semiconductor production and lithium ion battery electrolytes.
Implementation Method 1
a moisture removal apparatus for removing moisture in the non-aqueous solvent
Implementation Method 2
a purification method for removing the acids with an ion exchange resin
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for pretreating an ion exchange resin includes at least a stock solution tank for storing a non-aqueous solvent, an ion exchange resin container accommodating an ion exchange resin, and a moisture removal apparatus for removing moisture in the non-aqueous solvent, and at least one solution feed pipe selected from: a circulating solution feed pipe for returning, to the stock solution tank, the non-aqueous solvent that has passed through the ion exchange resin container and the moisture removal apparatus in this order from the stock solution tank; and a circulating solution feed pipe for returning, to the stock solution tank, the non-aqueous solvent that has passed through the moisture removal apparatus and the ion exchange resin container in this order from the stock solution tank.