Introducing Membrane Percrystallisation Technology for Hydrometallurgical Applications

• Published in: Minerals, Metals and Materials Series
• Main Author: Jalil S.N.A.; Motuzas J.; Vaughan J.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85151058275&doi=10.1007%2f978-3-031-22765-3_31&partnerID=40&md5=a2939201f4a07e1897147d44029ea375

Crystallisation is an important industrial unit operation for raw product formation, purification, and waste removal. This process typically requires multiple steps (crystallisation, solid liquid separation, and product drying) to attain the final product. Here, we introduce a novel process: membrane percrystallisation which achieves complete separation of solvent from solute in a single step. Liquid is vaporised at the inorganic membrane permeate surface, whilst dry solid product is continuously ejected from the permeate surface, under vacuum. This novel technology has been demonstrated at the laboratory scale in metal recovery and waste brine treatment applications. Membrane percrystallisation intensifies the process offering a simple, compact, and closed system. Within this study, key percrystallisation operating parameters in salt crystallisation that employ supported continuous saccharides-based carbon membranes will be discussed with examples of potential applications in hydrometallurgical processes. © 2023, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.