Raw Material Solution Concentration With FO and Membrane Distillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concentration methods for feed solutions containing both water and an organic solvent face issues such as solute adhesion to membranes, limited concentration rates due to pressurization, and imbalanced solvent ratios in the concentrate, particularly when concentrating peptides and other valuable biologics.

Innovation Solution

A combined concentration method using forward osmosis to remove water and membrane distillation to remove both water and organic solvent, allowing for adjustable solvent ratios without pressurization or heating, with online measurement and control of solute concentration and solvent composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If ultrafiltration membrane method is used to concentrate feed solution, then energy consumption is reduced, but solute adhesion to membrane surface occurs reducing recovery rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidrecovery rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the concentration process into two distinct stages: first using ultrafiltration membrane to remove water and concentrate the feed solution, then using evaporation to remove the organic solvent. This segmentation allows each method to operate in its optimal range - ultrafiltration for water removal without solute adhesion, and evaporation for solvent removal without limiting concentration rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters between stages - ultrafiltration operates at low pressure to prevent solute adhesion, while the subsequent evaporation stage operates at controlled temperature and pressure to remove organic solvent. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by avoiding the conditions that cause solute adhesion during the primary concentration phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If reverse osmosis method is used to concentrate feed solution, then concentration rate is improved, but solute adhesion to membrane surface occurs reducing recovery rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration rateVSAvoidrecovery rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the concentration process into ultrafiltration followed by evaporation, avoiding the use of reverse osmosis for the entire process. The ultrafiltration stage provides sufficient concentration rate without the high pressure conditions that cause solute adhesion, while evaporation completes the solvent removal without limiting concentration rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressurization system of reverse osmosis with a two-stage system combining low-pressure ultrafiltration and thermal evaporation. This substitution eliminates the high pressure conditions that cause solute adhesion while maintaining effective concentration rate through the combined action of both stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stress or pressure

If forward osmosis method is used to concentrate feed solution, then pressurization is eliminated, but organic solvent remains in concentrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressurization requirementVSAvoidsolvent composition control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the solvent removal process into two phases: forward osmosis or ultrafiltration for water removal, followed by evaporation for organic solvent removal. This segmentation allows control over the final solvent composition by adjusting the extent of each stage, resolving the contradiction between eliminating pressurization and controlling solvent composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters during the process - using forward osmosis or ultrafiltration at controlled pressure for water removal, then applying evaporation at controlled temperature to remove organic solvent. This parameter control throughout the process achieves the desired solvent composition in the final concentrate without requiring high pressurization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If membrane distillation is used to concentrate feed solution, then heating is applied, but water remains in concentrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating applicationVSAvoidsolvent composition control

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heating process into controlled stages - using membrane distillation or evaporation at controlled temperature to preferentially evaporate the organic solvent while leaving water in the concentrate. This segmentation allows control over which solvent is removed at each stage, achieving the desired water-rich concentrate composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls temperature parameters during membrane distillation or evaporation to selectively remove organic solvent. By maintaining temperature below the boiling point of water but above the evaporation temperature of the organic solvent, the process achieves selective solvent removal and produces concentrate with controlled water content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12576362B2Method for concentrating raw material solution, and system for concentrating raw material solution

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 ASAHI KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA

AI summary

Provided are a concentration method and system for concentrating a raw material solution, and in which a raw material solution containing a solute and a solvent is concentrated to obtain a concentrate of the raw material solution, wherein the solvent contains water and an organic solvent. In the method and system for concentrating a raw material solution, the system includes a combination of: a first concentrating means for removing water in the raw material solution by means of a forward osmosis method; and a second concentrating means for evaporating and removing water and an organic solvent in the raw material solution.