Separation Processes
Commercial plant will recover salts from incinerator flyash
Ragn-Sells AB (Sollentuna, Sweden; www.ragnsells.com) has partnered Hitachi Zosen Inova AG (Zürich, Switzerland; www.hz-inova.com) for the construction of a new plant that is designed to extract resources from flyash — a toxic byproduct of waste incinerators that normally ends up…
Significantly reduce cyanide consumption in refractory gold-ore treatment
Traditionally, cyanide consumption with conventional bio-oxidation residues is higher than with residues produced through other oxidative technologies. The Outotec MesoTherm BIOX process, based on its proven mesophile BIOX process, offers an easy, cost-effective upgrade path that can cut cyanide consumption…
A Simplified Approach to Crystallization Mass Balances
In continuous crystallization, it is often challenging to accurately measure mass flowrates, but the method described here enables a simpler path to a balanced crystallization process To gain optimal value from industrial crystallization processes, it is clear that understanding specific…
FOG separation technology expands to new application areas
Fats, oil and grease (FOG) waste can create environmental problems for water-treatment and sewage systems, but can be a potential resource if collected and separated efficiently. A technology originally developed by Downey Ridge Environmental Co. (Lansing, W.Va.; www.greasezilla.com) to separate…
Pilot plant produces apatite from mine waste
In a project called ReeMAP, LKAB Minerals AB (Luleå, Sweden; www.lkabminerals.com) is developing technology to recycle mine waste to produce phosphorus mineral fertilizers, rare earth elements (REEs), fluorine and gypsum. The first step is to use the mine waste to…
Advances in Filtration
Presented here are a few recent developments in filtration, including new cartridge design, automated self-cleaning systems and more Used for everything from purifying a liquid product, or recovering a solid product from a gas or liquid solvent, to environmental applications…
Facts at your Fingertips: Cyclone Separators
Removing solids from a stream of air or other gases is an important operation across virtually all sectors of the chemical process industries (CPI). In many cases, gas-solid separation is motivated by the need to reduce environmental impact and health…
Controlling Reboilers Heated by Condensing Steam or Vapor
Methods for controlling reboilers in distillation towers are central to good reboiler operation and tower stability. Control valves can be located in the steam-inlet line or in the condensate-outlet line. This article updates guidance for key considerations and practices using…
Facts at your Fingertips: Ion Exchange Resins in Water Treatment
Removal of dissolved ions from industrial process water, boiler feedwater or wastewater is a common challenge for facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI). Ion exchange (IX) systems offer one possible solution for demineralization, purification or wastewater-treatment applications. Ion exchange…
Rare Noble Gases: Production and Use of Ne, Kr and Xe
Rare noble gases neon, krypton and xenon have unique properties and can be obtained from air, but the economics of isolating them at air-separation units depends on demand and pricing. This article provides information on their production and use The…