Enhanced Processing of Green Solvents

Solvents are a valuable processing tool in the chemical and related industries. Solvent are used to enhance mass transfer, heat transfer and in most cases are a processing aid and eventually are not used in the final product but to enhance the fabrication of the final product. While solvents are very valuable, they also cause a significant problem with their volatility and associated emissions.§Manufacturing processes that utilize green technology or in this case green solvents while improving processing and reducing emissions are very desirable. This program will specifically address a family of green solvents that actually are superior to conventional solvents and since they have lowvolatility do not have the emissions problems of conventional solvents. §Compact Membrane Systems (CMS) has developed a novel amorphous perfluoro membrane system to enhance the use of these desirous green solvents. Recent developments at CMS with E.I. DuPont are such that we now work with green amorphous perfluoropolymers. Most specifically, we have eliminated the use of PFOA (perfluoro octanolc acids) in synthesis of these amorphous perfluoropolymers. This is an effort on CMS’s part to be greener and be directly responsive to the EPA’s directive to eliminate PFOA surfactants. §In Phase I we will first fabricate these membrane systems for enhanced processing of green solvents. Finally CMS will conduct economic evaluation of the CMS membrane system to confirm attractive process economics. While CMS has only conducted preliminary work with these green solvent, much of theneeded CMS infrastructure is in place so CMS had ability to rapidly service green solvent markets.