BRS - Batch recovery of solvents from azeotropic solvent mixtures by hybrid separation processes

MIP

Industrial partner

Research partner

Project leader

Synopsis

This project examines how solvents can be recovered on a batch-wise basis from industrial waste streams by a hybrid separation process (a combination of distillation and pervaporation). This project focuses on azeotropic solvent mixtures, where solvent recovery by conventional distillation is not possible. At present there is insufficient technical knowledge and know-how available to separate these mixtures, thus consequently they are incinerated.

Objectives

In this project the complementary expertise of three research groups is used to develop a versatile hybrid separation process that allows the batch-wise recovery of solvents from process or waste streams from chemical and related industries. This hybrid separation process will be an innovative combination of techniques for batch-wise processes, as individually these techniques are insufficient to achieve the desired separation in a sustainable and economical way. The hybrid systems that will be developed will use a combination of a clean, energy efficient technology (prevaporation) and a robust technology (distillation). Pervaporation as a stand-alone process is not sufficiently selective for these separations, while (azeotropic) distillation is considered as not insufficiently sustainable. The combination of both techniques in a hybrid system, however, can combine sustainability with selectivity.

The hybrid system will be developed based on three real process flows that will be supplied by the industrial partners. Both solvent-solvent and solvent-water mixtures will be considered. For each type of mixture it will be investigated how it can be separated with the hybrid separation process. Based on computer simulations a batch separation process will be presented, which will then be tested in practice. In a first phase, the parameters that influence the efficiency of this separation will be optimized by using synthetic mixtures. The influence of the presence of, for example, inorganic and organic salts and other organic components on the efficiency of the separation process will be investigated by using real samples supplied by the industrial partners. In the next phase it will be investigated whether the planned separation technique can be scaled up to industrial scale. Finally, an economic and ecological comparison between the proposed separation technique and the traditional treatment of solvent flows (incineration) will be made.

Start

01/09/2010

Duration

24 months

Budget

Industrial partners: EUR 327125
Research partners: EUR 327100

Industrial partners

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