Enhanced-pressure DME-driven fractional crystallization method and apparatus developed

High-pressure sight glass used as an apparatus to observe the solution during treatment. Pressure is used to change the relative distribution of ions and DME between phases in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS).
High-pressure sight glass used as an apparatus to observe the solution during treatment. Pressure is used to change the relative distribution of ions and DME between phases in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS).

CMI researchers from Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation
Increasing the pressure of the total solution above dimethyl ether’s (DME’s) self pressurization enables fractional crystallization of salts from a larger range of solution compositions (especially solutions containing highly soluble salts).

Achievement  
March 15, 2024, a U.S. provisional patent was filed for “Systems and methods for removing a salt from an aqueous salt solution,” application no. 63/565,623.

Significance and Impact

  • The new enhanced-pressure method will allow DME-FC to treat more solutions than is otherwise possible, broadening the application scope of this new method to produce solids from complex solutions.
  • Pressure control also provides a method to manipulate the relative concentrations of ions and DME in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS), which can also achieve useful separations.

Hub Target Addressed 
Minimizing hazardous chemical use and waste generation.