Process for heat stable salts removal from solvents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for removing salts from a liquid are described. A first liquid containing at least one salt is mixed with magnetic composite particles. A subsequent separation of the particles from the liquid is achieved using an electromagnetic source.

1 . An apparatus for removing salts from a
 liquid comprising:   a first liquid containing at least one salt,   magnetic composite particles,   a tank ( 2 ) for storing the first liquid containing at least one salt, a mixing tank ( 4 ) in fluid communication with the tank ( 2 ) for mixing the first liquid   
       containing at least one salt with the magnetic composite particles, and
 an electromagnetic separator ( 5 ) in fluid communication with the mixing tank ( 4 ), 
 wherein the electromagnetic separator ( 5 ) comprises an electromagnetic source ( 6 ). 
 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first liquid is an aqueous amine solvent. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the amine solvent comprises at least one of methyldiethanolamine and alkanolamine. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one salt is formed by one or more protonated amine cations and one or more anions selected from SCN″, HCOO″, CH3COO″, and CH3CH2COO—. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the magnetic composite particles comprise iron oxide magnetic particles. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the magnetic composite particles comprise alginate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a second liquid for cleaning the magnetic composite particles from adsorbed salt and a tank ( 3 ) in fluid communication with the mixing tank ( 4 ) for storing the second liquid, wherein the second liquid is preferably water. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to claim further comprising a treated liquid tank ( 7 ) in fluid communication with the electromagnetic separator ( 5 ) for collecting first liquid which has been treated in the mixing tank ( 4 ). 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a collecting tank ( 8 ) in fluid communication with the electromagnetic separator ( 5 ) and in fluid communication with the tank ( 3 ) for collecting the second liquid containing magnetic composite particles having at least a portion of the at least one salt adsorbed thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first liquid is an aqueous amine solvent, preferably comprising at least one of methyldiethanolamine and alkanolamine, 
 the at least one salt is formed by one or more protonated amine cations and one or more anions selected from SCN˜, HCOO″, CH3COO″, and CH3CH2COO″, 
 the magnetic composite particles comprise iron oxide magnetic particles and alginate, 
 the apparatus further comprises a second liquid for cleaning the magnetic composite particles from adsorbed salt and a tank ( 3 ) in fluid communication with the mixing tank ( 4 ) for storing the second liquid, wherein the second liquid is preferably water; 
 the apparatus further comprises a collection tank ( 7 ) in fluid communication with the electromagnetic separator ( 5 ) for collecting first liquid which has been treated in the mixing tank ( 4 ) 
 the apparatus further comprises a treated liquid tank ( 7 ) in fluid communication with the electromagnetic separator ( 5 ) for collecting first liquid which has been treated in the mixing tank ( 4 ), and 
 the apparatus further comprises a collecting tank ( 8 ) in fluid communication with the electromagnetic separator ( 5 ) and in fluid communication with the tank ( 3 ) for collecting the second liquid containing magnetic composite particles having at least a portion of the at least one salt adsorbed thereon. 
 
     
     
         11 .- 23 . (canceled)