Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvent CO2 Triggered Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvents have fixed physical properties, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs in chemical production processes due to the need for solvent removal and replacement between reaction and separation steps, and they often require energy-intensive distillation, causing environmental harm.
Innovation Solution
Development of switchable hydrophilicity solvents that can reversibly convert between hydrophobic and hydrophilic forms in response to CO2, allowing for controlled switching between miscible and immiscible states with water, enabling solvent reuse and reducing the need for distillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional solvents with fixed physical properties are used, then the solvent can dissolve material effectively, but the solvent must be removed and replaced between reaction and separation steps, greatly adding to economic cost and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using solvents whose physical properties can be dynamically changed in response to external stimuli. Specifically, the solvent transitions between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states upon exposure to triggers such as CO2, allowing the same solvent to adapt its properties for different process stages (reaction vs. separation) without requiring removal and replacement, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining versatility
2Ease of manufacture
If distillation is used to remove solvent, then separation can be achieved, but significant energy input is required and vapor emission losses cause environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the solvent's physical-chemical parameters (hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity) in response to external stimuli such as CO2 exposure. This parameter change enables the solvent to become water-miscible for easy separation without requiring energy-intensive distillation, thereby achieving ease of manufacture while dramatically reducing energy consumption and avoiding vapor emission losses
3Ease of manufacture
If a volatile solvent is used for distillation, then separation can be achieved, but significant vapor emission losses occur leading to environmental damage through smog formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using non-volatile solvents that can change their solubility parameters in response to stimuli such as CO2. The solvent transitions from a hydrophobic state (for reaction) to a hydrophilic state (for separation) through parameter change rather than phase change, enabling easy separation without vapor emission, thereby eliminating smog formation while maintaining separation ease
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 approach enables efficient separation and reuse of solvents, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact by allowing solvent properties to be adjusted according to process needs without the need for distillation, thereby improving the economic and environmental sustainability of chemical processes.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the two-layer liquid mixture to CO2 in the presence of water thereby protonating the SHS to form protonated-SHS, which is water-miscible or water-soluble
Implementation Method 2
exposing the single-layer liquid mixture to (i) heat, (ii) a flushing gas, or (iii) heat and a flushing gas, thereby expelling CO2 from the single-layer liquid mixture which leads to deprotonation of the protonated-SHS
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A solvent that reversibly converts from a hydrophobic liquid form to hydrophilic liquid form upon contact with water and a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. The hydrophilic liquid form is readily converted back to the hydrophobic liquid form and water. The hydrophobic liquid is an amidine or amine. The hydrophilic liquid form comprises an amidinium salt or an ammonium salt.