Liquid-liquid phase transition compositions and processes
AssigneeInnovator Energy, LLC
InventorEthan J. Novek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application pertains to liquid-liquid phase transition compositions and processes. In one embodiment a liquid-liquid phase transition process comprises first forming a composition comprising a glycol polymer and water and then phase transitioning the composition at or above the composition's cloud point temperature to form at least two liquid phases. The enthalpy of liquid-liquid phase transition may be greater than 5 kJ per kg as measured by a calorimeter and each liquid phase may have unique and advantageous properties. In another embodiment the application pertains to compositions suitable for liquid-liquid phase transition compositions.
Claims29
A liquid-liquid phase transition process comprising:
- forming a composition comprising a glycol polymer and water;
- phase transitioning the composition at or above the composition's cloud point temperature to form at least two liquid phases;
- wherein a first liquid phase of said at least two liquid phases comprises greater than 50 wt % water;
- wherein a second liquid phase of said at least two liquid phases comprises a glycol polymer;
- and
- wherein (1) the second liquid phase comprising a glycol polymer has a density less than the density of the liquid phase comprising greater than 50 wt % water when non-contiguously separate from other liquid phases and at a temperature of 10° C. according to ASTM D1122;
- and
- (2) enthalpy of liquid-liquid phase transition is greater than 5 kJ per kg as measured by a mixing calorimeter.
A glycol polymer composition comprising:
- from about 1 to about 80 percent by weight of total composition of at least one glycol polymer having a number average molecular weight of less than or equal to 3,000;
- from about 1 to about 99 percent by weight of total composition of water;
- wherein the composition comprises a cloud point temperature above which a liquid phase comprising glycol polymer forms due to a liquid-liquid phase transition and wherein (1) density of the formed liquid phase is less than 1 gram per mL when non-contiguously separate and at 10° C. according to ASTM D1122;
- and
- (2) enthalpy of liquid-liquid phase transition is greater than 5 kJ per kg as measured by a mixing calorimeter.
A glycol polymer composition comprising:
- from about 1 to about 80 percent by weight of total composition of at least one polypropylene glycol having a number average molecular weight greater than or equal to 2,000 and less than or equal to 3,000;
- from about 1 to about 99 percent by weight of total composition of water;
- wherein (1) the composition comprises a single liquid phase combined solution at a temperature below 5° C.;
- and
- (2) enthalpy of liquid-liquid phase transition is greater than 5 kJ per kg as measured by a mixing calorimeter.
A liquid-liquid phase transition process comprising:
- forming a composition comprising a glycol polymer with an average molecular number greater than or equal to 1000 and water;
- and
- phase transitioning the composition into at least two liquid phases;
- wherein a first liquid phase of said at least two liquid phases comprises greater than 50 wt % water;
- wherein a second liquid phase of said at least two liquid phases comprises the glycol polymer with an average molecular number greater than or equal to 1000;
- wherein the second liquid phase comprising the glycol polymer has a viscosity less than 100 cP at 25° C. wherein viscosity is measured on the second liquid phase as a non-contiguous separate phase with a viscometer;
- and
- wherein the enthalpy of liquid-liquid phase transition is greater than 5 kJ per kg of composition as measured by a mixing calorimeter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.