Separation of Polar Molecules

Summary

Traditionally, organic polar substance separations, especially chemically related polar substance separations, have been very difficult to achieve.

Description

Sandia has developed a novel separations media using a crystalline manganese phosphate composition which can be used to separate multiple organic polar substances based the degree of branching, location of the polar group, or the length of the carbon chain.

Benefits

Multiple Types of Separations

Separation are achieved according to degree of branching/ linearity, location of polar group, etc.

Wide Temperature & pH Range

Operates between pH 3.5-9.5 in aqueous solutions and tempera-tures up to 225C for inert atmospheres

Easily Facilitated Separations

Separations are induced simply through contact with the separation media even at room temperature

Applications and Industries

Pharmaceutical Processing

The extremely high purities required to meet FDA standards for drugs are often very difficult to achieve. Separation efficiency becomes especially important for drugs for which one or more isomers of a polar compound are poisonous. This technology would allow for efficient separations, even purifying mixtures with less than 1 wt% impurities.

Ultra High Purity Chemical Processing

As with pharmaceuticals, many polar compounds are often difficult to separate. For chemicals that require a very high purity, this technology could allow for much faster, more reliable, and re-producible separations.

Wastewater treatment

Certain polar, organic compounds can be extremely difficult to remove during waste water treatment. This technology could allow for a decrease in contaminants present after treatment, making it easier and cheaper to meet EPA requirements.