Synthesis of sodium titanate and ion exchange use thereof

• US 8,580,226 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2010
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graver Technologies Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graver Technologies Llc (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pennisi, Nichole, Knoll, James A., Yarnell, Peter A
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRY, CHESTER T
• Application Number:
  US12/916,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20120103911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 423/598, 210/660, 210/688
• US Class Current: 423/598
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/041 Oxides or hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/06 comprising oxides or hydroxides of metals not provided for in group B01J20/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28004 Sorbent size or size distribution, e.g. particle size
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3085 Chemical treatments not covered by groups B01J20/3007 - B01J20/3078
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 39/10 Oxides or hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 23/005 Alkali titanates
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/72 by d-values or two theta-values, e.g. as X-ray diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/61 Micrometer sized, i.e. from 1-100 micrometer

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for producing a sodium titanate that can be utilized in an ion exchange media. The sodium titanate ion exchange media can be subsequently used to remove contaminants such as metals from water in a variety of applications. The sodium titanate can be synthesized by utilizing a source of titanium that includes a nano-crystalline titanium having a mean primary crystallite diameter of about 1 nm to about 30 nm.

Claims

1. A method of synthesizing sodium titanate, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one source of titanium that includes nano-crystalline titanium having a mean primary crystallite diameter of about 1 nm to about 30 nm;

providing at least one source of sodium oxide;

forming a reaction mixture that includes the at least one source of titanium and the at least one source of sodium oxide in a suitable solvent; and

reacting the components of the reaction mixture to produce a reaction product that includes sodium titanate having a particle size ranging from 1 micron to 100 microns.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nano-crystalline titanium has a mean primary crystallite diameter of about 1 nm to about 10 nm.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the nano-crystalline titanium is a titanium oxide or a titanium hydroxide.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the nano-crystalline titanium is titanium dioxide.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one source of sodium oxide is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate, and alkali metal hydroxide.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium titanate has an average particle size from about 20 microns to about 70 microns.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium titanate has a surface area of at least 200 m²/g.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reacting comprises reacting the components of the reaction mixture for a reaction period having a length of time from about 1 hours to about 60 hours.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reacting comprises heating the reaction mixture to a temperature from about 50°

C. to about 140°

C.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reacting comprises stirring the reaction mixture with high shear mixing.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reacting comprises:

reacting the components of the reaction mixture for a reaction period having a length of time from about 1 hours to about 60 hours;

heating the reaction mixture to a temperature from about 50°

C. to about 140°

C. for the reaction period; and

stirring the reaction mixture with high shear mixing for the reaction period.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

adjusting the pH of the reaction product with an acid;

rinsing the reaction product with deoinized water; and

drying the reaction product.

13. An ion exchange medium comprising sodium titanate produced by the method of claim 1.

14. A method of removing contaminants from water, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an ion exchange medium to a treatment vessel, the ion exchange medium comprising sodium titanate synthesized by;

providing at least one source of titanium that includes nano-crystalline titanium having a mean primary crystallite diameter of about 1 nm to about 30 nm;

providing at least one source of sodium oxide;

forming a reaction mixture that includes the at least one source of titanium and the at least one source of sodium oxide in a suitable solvent; and

reacting the components of the reaction mixture to produce a reaction product that includes sodium titanate having a particle size ranging from 1 micron to 100 microns;

providing water from a water source to the treatment vessel; and

passing the water through the sodium titanate ion exchange medium in the treatment vessel to remove at least one contaminant.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the nano-crystalline titanium is a titanium oxide or a titanium hydroxide.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the nano-crystalline titanium is titanium dioxide.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sodium titanate has an average particle size from about 20 microns to about 70 microns.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the sodium titanate has a surface area of at least 200 m²/g.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one contaminant comprises a metal.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the metal is lead.