TH40848A - The process for separating organic acids from aqueous solutions. - Google Patents

Abstract

DC60 (21/07/42) In conventional water treatment processes, such as aldolization, which involves organic acids, only the alkaline components are continuously separated, while the organic acids remain in aqueous solution. Disposal or further treatment of this solution is industrially difficult and costly. Therefore, this invention involves a process for separating various organic acids from aqueous solutions using electrochemical processes. This process, as described in this invention, is used, among other things, to purify the reaction water produced in the aforementioned aldolization process. In conventional water treatment processes, such as aldolization, which involves organic acids, only the alkaline components are continuously separated, while the organic acids remain... As these substances remain in aqueous solutions, further disposal or treatment would be industrially difficult and costly. Therefore, this invention concerns a process for separating various organic acids from aqueous solutions using electrochemical processes. This process, as described in the invention, is used, among other things, to purify the reaction water produced in the aqueous adelization process.

Claims (16)

1. The process for separating organic acids from aqueous solutions, which involves separation operations through electrochemical processes. 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, whereby organic acids are separated by electrolysis (a method of separation by the movement of electric current). 3. The process as claimed in claim 1, whereby organic acids are separated by electrodialysis (a method of separation by the movement of electric current). 4. The process as claimed in claim 2, whereby the solution to be treated is fed into the cathode (2), which is separated from the cathode (1) by at least one anion-exchange membrane (A). 5. The process referred to in claim 3, whereby in electrodialysis, the acidic channel (4) is isolated from the adjacent channels (3) and (2), which contain the aqueous solution to be treated, on the negative side by at least one anion exchange membrane (A) and on the positive side by at least one bipolar membrane (BM). 6. The process as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, where an alkali is added to an acid, which is fed in to produce an anion, in channel (1) or (4) or channels (1) and (4). 7. The process claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, whereby a neutral organic compound has been isolated. 8. The process as claimed in at least one of the prior claims, whereby at least one electrode is used, which is derived from steel, black platinum, graphite, alloy oxides, pure platinum, or a combination of these components in their pure form, or has been used or incorporated into the supporting material. 9. The process as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, whereby the separation process has been carried out at temperatures ranging from 20 to 140 degrees Celsius. 10. The process as claimed in claim 9, whereby the separation process was carried out at temperatures ranging from 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. 11. The process by which at least one of the preceding claims is claimed, where such process has continued. 12. The process by which at least the claims in Clauses 1 through 10 are claimed, whereby the process has been carried out on a case-by-case basis. 13. The process claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, where organic compounds are electrochemically separated at the anode. 14. The process claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, whereby a solution to be treated, consisting of alkali and organic acids, is added to this aqueous solution. 15. The process as claimed in claim 14, whereby it is customary, involves the addition of an acid that would likely already be present in the solution to be treated. 16. The process claimed under at least one of the claims in clauses 1 through 15 for the separation of organic acids from water in the reaction occurring in an aldolization reaction.