Amorphous Silica Membrane Separation of Azeotropic Fluorocarbon Gases

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for separating fluorocarbons, such as distillation and conventional membrane separation, are energy-intensive and face challenges due to small molecular diameter differences, leading to inefficient separation and recycling.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a porous membrane made of amorphous silica formed by a sol-gel method, which separates fluorocarbons based on molecular sieve effects by allowing gases to permeate through pores, enhancing separation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If distillation is used to separate fluorocarbons, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous membrane made of amorphous silica with controlled pore sizes to separate fluorocarbon gases based on molecular diameter differences. The porous structure enables selective permeation of gases with different molecular sizes, achieving separation through physical pore filtration rather than energy-intensive distillation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal mechanical process of distillation with a physical membrane separation process. Instead of using heat to separate fluorocarbons based on boiling point differences, the invention uses a porous membrane to separate gases based on molecular diameter, substituting thermal energy with physical filtration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional membrane separation is used, then some separation can be achieved, but separation efficiency is low due to small molecular diameter differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidseparation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a porous membrane with specifically controlled pore dimensions that match the molecular diameter differences between fluorocarbon gases. The porous structure with optimized pore size distribution enhances the separation efficiency by allowing selective passage of gases based on their molecular sizes, overcoming the limitation of conventional membranes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the key parameter of the separation medium from conventional dense membranes to porous amorphous silica membranes with controlled pore sizes. This parameter change enables the membrane to exploit molecular diameter differences more effectively, significantly improving separation efficiency for fluorocarbon gases with similar molecular sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If distillation is used to separate azeotropic fluorocarbon mixtures, then separation can be achieved, but the process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex thermal distillation process with a simpler physical membrane separation process. The porous membrane separates fluorocarbon gases based on molecular diameter without requiring complex thermal control, fractionation columns, or energy-intensive heating/cooling cycles associated with distillation of azeotropic mixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The porous membrane provides a straightforward separation mechanism that does not suffer from azeotropy limitations. By using physical pore filtration based on molecular size differences, the system achieves separation of azeotropic mixtures without the complexity of multi-stage distillation or special separation techniques required for azeotropic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 separates fluorocarbons with different molecular diameters, overcoming azeotropy and improving separation efficiency, regardless of azeotropic mixtures.

Implementation Method 1

separating one kind of a fluorocarbon gas selected from the two or more kinds of fluorocarbon gases, wherein the porous membrane comprises amorphous silica formed by a sol-gel method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular sieve effect: Molecular Sieve

Implementation Method 2

feeding a mixed gas comprising two or more kinds of fluorocarbon gases having different molecular diameters from each other to a porous membrane and separating a gas composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS20260027514A1Gas isolation method

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A method for separating a fluorocarbon gas including feeding a mixed gas that includes two or more kinds of fluorocarbon gases having different molecular diameters from each other to a porous membrane and separating a gas composition in which a mixing ratio of one kind of a fluorocarbon gas selected from the two or more kinds of fluorocarbon gases is increased or a single gas, where the porous membrane includes amorphous silica formed by a sol-gel method.