Abstract
Functionalised silicas, used for selectively removing metal impurities in process streams, are packed in cartridges and inserted into multicartridge filters. The scavenging step that follows a catalytic reaction involves the single pass of the process stream through the multicartridge filter setup at a predetermined linear velocity and temperature. Efficiency in metal reduction as high as 98% has been so far achieved at tens of kilograms scale. Furthermore, the precious metal anchored onto the scavenger’s functionalities can be recovered and refined. Our chronological development of a versatile, general, and easily scalable format for metal scavenging at process scales is described, illustrated by application in real time to a range of projects passing through our Pharmaceutical Pilot Plant, employing a variety of metals (palladium, rhodium, iridium). Benefits of the cartridge format in terms of economics and environmental impact are also initially assessed.
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