Hi, I'm learning about methods to separate acids and organic matter and trying to establish an experiment integrating DD and AR. While I was doing my research few questions popped in my head:
1. On what scale can these respective technologies can be conducted? If I am to separate H2SO4 from H2SO4-Glucose Mix on which rate can I extract it? 10L/day, 100L/day 100m3/ day? The pump specifications may change due to this so I'm asking this question.
2. What are some common practices in the industry to handle strong acids of different concentrations? H2SO4 is strongly acidic, and the piping/tubing, and the machines responsible for diffusion dialysis and acid retardation should also be able to withstand strong acids right? PTFE and 904L steel comes to mind are there other materials available to withstand corrosion?
3. What are some common resins used for Acid retardation? Seems like there is a wide array of materials and different companies depending on the region.
Thank you so much for taking your time to read this questions and answering them :)
Hello!
It's great to hear about your interest in separating acids and organic matter using Diffusion Dialysis (DD) and Acid Retardation (AR).
Let's address your questions one by one:
Scale of Technologies for Separation:Diffusion Dialysis (DD) and Acid Retardation (AR) can both be scaled to various extents depending on the application. For DD, the scale can range from laboratory setups of just a few liters per day to industrial applications that can handle hundreds or even thousands of cubic meters per day.
The scale primarily depends on the number and size of the diffusion membranes and the overall design of the system.Specifically for H2SO4 from a H2SO4-Glucose Mix, it's feasible to start at a laboratory scale (e.g., 10L/day) and scale up to industrial applications (100m³/day or more).
The pump and piping specifications will indeed need to be adjusted based on the scale to ensure adequate flow rates and pressure handling capabilities.
Handling Strong Acids in Industrial Settings:Materials Resistant to Strong Acids: You're correct in considering materials like PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and 904L stainless steel, as they offer excellent resistance to corrosion by strong acids, including sulfuric acid.
Other Materials: Other materials that can withstand strong acids include:Glass-lined steel is often used for reactors and storage tanks.Titanium and Hastelloy alloys are also known for their superior acid resistance and are used in components exposed to highly corrosive environments.PVC and CPVC can be used for piping in less intensive conditions, although they are generally less durable than metals like 904L stainless steel or alloys.
Gasket and Sealing Materials: It's also important to choose the right gasket and sealing materials such as Viton or other fluoropolymer-based compounds, which have good acid resistance.
Common Resins for Acid Retardation:Resins Used in Acid Retardation: The choice of resin largely depends on the specific application and the types of ions or molecules being separated.
Commonly used resins include:Strong base anion exchange resins: These are often used when dealing with strong acids as they can exchange their chloride or hydroxide ions for sulfate ions, thus retarding the acid.
Weak base anion exchange resins: These may be used when the complete removal of the acid is not necessary, or when dealing with weaker acids.
Specialty resins: Some applications might require resins tailored for specific ion preferences or those that can operate under particular temperature or pressure conditions.
Regional Availability: The availability and choice of specific brands or types of resins can vary by region, with companies like Dow Chemical, Lanxess, and Purolite being major global suppliers of ion-exchange resins.Your research sounds intriguing, and the specifics you've considered (like materials resistance and resin selection) are crucial for setting up a successful experiment.