SoliQz opens experimental facility for high purity chemicals

It is often very important to use pure raw materials in the chemical industry. The higher the purity levels of the chemicals, the better the quality of the end product. One of the techniques frequently used to separate the components of a chemical mixture is distillation. Separation is achieved by bringing one of the components to its boiling point and removing it as vapour. Separating the components of a mixture by cooling one of the components to below freezing point – that is, by crystallisation – is usually more energy efficient, however, and therefore cheaper. In addition, crystallisation results in a higher levels of purity. Following crystallisation, the crystals produced must be separated from the mother lye.

SoliQz will provide an innovative solution for the final stage of the process. SoliQz’s systems purify chemicals on the basis of crystallisation and the ‘Hydraulic Wash Column’ (HWC). This technology, which was developed by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), is used to remove the last impurities of the chemicals by means of hydraulic pressure. Chemicals can therefore be purified to a degree of 99.9% using a minimum of 20% and a maximum of 90% less energy relative to distillation.

In recent years TNO, and later SoliQz, a spin-off of TNO, carried out over 50 small scale pilot projects for customers and delivered two commercial – or semi-commercial – plants. The technology is now ready to be launched commercially on a large scale and operations will soon commence in PlantOne. The experimental facility was made possible by investments of the American company Armstrong Chemtec.

A major advantage of HWC technology is its scalability. The feasibility studies will therefore be carried out in the laboratory in PlantOne, as will the validation tests in a pilot context. After this work has been completed, it will be possible to build the purification systems at a customer’s location and put them into operation on a fully industrial scale according to the specific needs of the customer.

SoliQz CEO Nicolaas Viets explained that: "PlantOne is an ideal location for us. It allows us to make use of the 'umbrella permits and licences' that the location has already been granted and we will also benefit from the logistical and operational support available. In addition, which is just as important, we’ll be close to our customers in the heart of Rotterdam’s petrochemical industry."

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/18102016/soliqz-opens-experimental-facility-for-high-purity-chemicals/