Method for removing organic liquids from aqueous solutions and mixtures
US6709600B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2101/30
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for removing organic liquids from aqueous solutions and mixtures. The method employs any porous material preferably in granular form and having small pores and a large specific surface area, that is hydrophobic so that liquid water does not readily wet its surface. In this method, organics, especially organic solvents that mix with and are more volatile than water, are separated from aqueous solution by preferentially evaporating across the liquid/solid boundary formed at the surfaces of the hydrophobic porous materials. Also, organic solvents that are immiscible with water, preferentially wet the surfaces of the hydrophobic material and are drawn within the porous materials by capillary action.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.