FMX Applications

Colloidal Particle Concentration

Increasing yield while reducing batch time and the cost of production

Gelling at high concentrations, continuous deterioration, and large holdup volume of existing tubular membranes restricts production yield. FMX can increase yield, but reduce batch time and the cost of production.

The typical production process uses conventional membrane systems or evaporators to concentrate the colloidal particles, but low production capacity, high operation and maintenance costs, and decreased ability to concentrate the particles caused a large U.S. chemical manufacturer to look for a new solution. The FMX was able to concentrate an initial colloidal particle concentration of 6%, to over 42% in the final product.

Project Overview

A Chemical company in Chicago

Goals

Challenges

Many large chemical companies across the globe are involved in the production of colloidal particles to be used as a raw material in other production processes, such as for electronics. The typical production process uses conventional membrane systems or evaporators to concentrate the colloidal particles, but low production capacity, high operation and maintenance costs, and decreased ability to concentrate the particles caused a large U.S. chemical manufacturer to look for a new solution.

Solution

Results

Pilot test results showed the FMX could not only achieve higher final product concentrations, but was also able to reduce fouling with the unique vortex system. The FMX was able to concentrate an initial colloidal particle concentration of 6%, to over 42% in the final product. During concentration the FMX can maintain a substantially higher flux when compared to the previous conventional membrane system, resulting in shorter processing times and lower operation and maintenance costs.

Parameter
Units
Batch 1
Batch 2

Average Flux
LMH (GFD)
120 (71)
121 (71)

Initial concentration
wt%
6%
6%

Final concentration
wt%
44.7%
42.4%

**Recovery of Colloidal Particles in Concentrate Stream**