Method of promoting nucleation of solute in a solution
US4622119A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 1985 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D57/02
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
To promote nucleation of a solute in a solution (e.g. wax dissolved in lubricating oil), free excess charge which is net unipolar is introduced into the solution, for example by charge injection, and the solubility for the solute is reduced (for example by cooling), at least until nucleation of the solution takes place. Nucleation is the physical mechanism which leads to precipitation of the solute and so this method can be applied for the electrical pretreatment of the solution to produce a precipitate, following which the precipitate can be removed from the solvent by conventional separation techniques or be present to provide desired physical or chemical characteristics. An alternative method is to reduce the solubility of the solute in the solution almost to the point of nucleation, and only then to introduce the free excess charge so as to precipitate the onset of nucleation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.