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Title: A method for separating water soluble organics from a process stream by aqueous biphasic extraction

Patent Application ·
OSTI ID:756662

The present invention relates to a method for separating water-miscible organic species from a process stream by aqueous biphasic extraction. In particular, the method includes extracting the organic species into a polymer-rich phase of an aqueous biphase system in which the process stream comprises the salt-rich phase, and, next, separating the polymer from the extracted organic species by contacting the loaded, polymer-rich phase with a water-immiscible organic phase. Alternatively, the polymer can be separated from the extracted organic species by raising the temperature of the loaded, polymer-rich phase above the cloud point, such that the polymer and the water-soluble organic species separate into two distinct aqueous phases. In either case, a substantially salt-free, concentrated aqueous solution containing the organic species is recovered.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
Assignee:
DOEGC; EDB-00:057675
Patent Number(s):
PATENTS-US-A8873297
Application Number:
8-873,297; TRN: AH200021%%190
OSTI ID:
756662
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 1997 Jun 11; Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English