Summary

This invention involves a method for the energy-efficient treatment of a feed stream using a mixture of one or more organic compounds and water such that a fraction enriched in the organic compounds and a fraction enriched in water are produced.


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Patent Information:  USPTO Site Listing  
  Patent Title: Separation Process Using Pervaporation and Dephlegmation  
  Patent Number: 6755975  
  Issue Date: 6/29/2004  
  Lab Name: Sustainable Technology Division  
  Location: Cincinnati, OH  
  Contact: WVHTC Foundation  
 
Technical Description:
  This invention involves a method for the energy-efficient treatment of a feed stream using a mixture of one or more organic compounds and water such that a fraction enriched in the organic compounds and a fraction enriched in water are produced. A permi-selective membrane preferentially passes a component or class of components of the mixed feed as a vapor while retaining the other component(s), resulting in a vapor stream that is enriched in the passed component(s) and a solution or vapor stream that is enriched in the retained component(s). The vapor stream(s) is/are further fractionated in a partial condensation process where the less volatile component(s) of the vapor stream is/are recovered as a condensate stream and the more volatile component(s) is/are recovered as a vapor stream.
 
Industry Significance:
  The separation of organic compounds from water is a very high-volume, energy intensive industrial process of broad utility. The separation of polar organic compounds from water is particularly energy intensive. Energy consumption in these separation processes is a major determinant of the economic viability of both the process and the resulting product(s). This patent describes a method that has the potential to substantially reduce the energy cost associated with the separation of polar organic compounds from water.
 
Potential Applications:
  The invention may prove useful as a method of separating organic compounds from water. It may be cost-effective and provide a higher rate of separation than current technologies. The invention has no forward citations. However, the patent is co-assigned to Membrane Technology and Research, Inc., and the EPA. This invention or related applications appear to be in the process of being commercialized by Membrane Technology and Research.
 
Partnership Opportunities:
 

This invention could capture a share of the U.S. soil and groundwater remediation technology market, estimated to be $8 billion in 2004. The market has been growing at an annual rate of 7 percent for the past three years. The technology was initially developed under Small Business Innovation Research grants from the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation and was further developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between the EPA and Membrane Technology and Research.

The EPA is seeking viable partners for licensing and/or cooperative research to further develop the technology for future agency needs and the specific needs and requirements of the industry partner.

http://www.epatechmatch.com/EPA/PATENT/BROWSEFEATURED.ASPX#