construction Product

SCWP Tech - Supercritical Water Precipitation for Dissolved Metal Recovery & Valorization

Characteristic image

Description

Components:

  1. Supercritical Fluid Reactor: The core of the SCWP technology, where supercritical water (water at conditions above its critical point - 374°C and 22.1 MPa) is used as a medium for the precipitation of dissolved metals.
  2. Control System: An advanced automation and control system for regulating temperature, pressure, and flow rates within the reactor.
  3. Input Module: A system for feeding industrial wastewater containing dissolved metals into the reactor.
  4. Separation Unit: After the precipitation process, this unit separates the solid metal precipitates from the supercritical water.
  5. Cooling and Condensation System: Cools the supercritical water post-precipitation, returning it to a liquid state for reuse or disposal.

Application Scope:

  • Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Especially effective for wastewater from electroplating, mining, electronics manufacturing, and battery production industries.
  • Resource Recovery: Efficiently recovers critical metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and precious metals from wastewater streams.

Key Advantages and Unique Features:

  1. High Efficiency: Over 99% recovery rate for various metals, significantly higher than traditional methods.
  2. Eco-Friendly: Reduces the environmental impact by minimizing waste and eliminating the need for hazardous chemicals.
  3. Versatility: Can handle a variety of metal-laden wastewater streams, adapting to different metal concentrations and types.
  4. Cost-Effective: Lower operational expenses compared to conventional methods, due to reduced chemical and energy usage.
  5. Compact and Modular: The technology's modular nature allows for scalability and easy integration into existing industrial processes.

Ground-Breaking Aspects:

  • Innovative Use of Supercritical Water: Utilizing supercritical water for metal precipitation is a novel approach, leveraging its unique solvent properties to efficiently recover dissolved metals.
  • Automation and Control: Advanced automation enhances the process's precision and efficiency, making it groundbreaking in terms of operational control.

Practical Functioning:

  • Industrial wastewater is fed into the supercritical fluid reactor.
  • Within the reactor, supercritical water conditions induce the precipitation of dissolved metals as solid particles.
  • These metal precipitates are then separated from the water, leaving behind clean water and concentrated metal particles.
  • The clean water can be reused or safely discharged, while the recovered metals, in forms like oxides or hydroxides, can be further processed or sold.

This technology represents a significant advancement in wastewater treatment and metal recovery, offering an innovative, sustainable solution for industries dealing with metal-laden wastewater.

Owner of the product

Sign in to access this information.

Actors, their roles and interactions

  1. Industries (e.g., Electroplating, Mining, Electronics Manufacturing, Battery Production):

    • Role: Generate wastewater containing dissolved metals; primary source of input for SCWP technology.
    • Interaction: Provide wastewater streams to treatment facilities. Collaborate with technology providers for on-site treatment solutions. Benefit from the recovery of valuable metals and compliance with environmental regulations.
  2. Technology Providers:

    • Role: Develop, supply, and maintain SCWP technology. Offer expertise in system integration and optimization.
    • Interaction: Work directly with industries and water utilities to implement SCWP systems. Provide ongoing support, maintenance, and technological upgrades. Engage in R&D to enhance technology efficiency and applicability.
  3. End-Users (e.g., Metal Refining and Processing Industries):

    • Role: Utilize recovered metals from SCWP processes in various industrial applications.
    • Interaction: Purchase recovered metals from industries or treatment facilities. Provide feedback on metal quality and specifications, influencing the recovery process's optimization.

Unique selling points

  • High Efficiency in Metal Recovery: Over 99% recovery rate, ensuring maximum extraction of valuable metals from wastewater.
  • Eco-Friendly Process: Minimizes environmental impact compared to traditional methods; reduces carbon footprint.
  • Modular and Scalable Design: Flexibility to adjust to different operation scales, suitable for various industries and facility sizes.
  • Versatile Metal Recovery: Capable of extracting a wide range of metals, including critical and strategic raw materials.
  • Reduction in Waste Generation: Transforms waste into resources, significantly decreasing landfill disposal.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Competitive pricing compared to conventional treatment methods, with added value from recovered materials.
  • Advanced Automation: Smart algorithms for process optimization, reducing operational costs and enhancing production efficiency.
  • Circular Economy Contributor: Supports sustainable resource management and aligns with circular economy goals.
  • Customizable Recovery Products: Ability to tailor recovered materials to specific industry requirements.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Helps industries meet stringent environmental regulations regarding wastewater and waste management.

Technical requirements

Please contact riccardo.momoli@circularmaterials.it to discuss the technical requirements of the project

URL

https://circularmaterials.it/

Technology applied by the product

Wastewater Treatment and Sludge Valorization