Separation Process Research Articles

Effect of the Cross-Sectional Geometry of the Mixed Particle Zone on the Spiral Separation Process and Its Structural Optimization

Cross-sectional geometry is of significance in determining the flow characteristics and the particles separation in spiral concentrators. The effects of the cross-sectional geometry within the mixed particle zone on the secondary flow and the separation process of hematite and quartz particles with a size of 89.5 μm were investigated via a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The optimization of the line segment slopes was conducted using response surface methodology (RSM). The results indicate that the peak radial fluxes and average radial velocities of the secondary flow are positively correlated with the corresponding line segment slope. The independent adjustment of line slopes in regions Ⅰ and Ⅱ, and the interaction of line slopes in regions Ⅰ and Ⅲ, influence the separation efficiency of hematite and quartz particles significantly. The separation performance of the experimental spiral concentrator with a cross-sectional profile of the optimized line segments for a feed of hematite and quartz with a size range of -100+75 μm is remarkably improved by nearly 5%. This study provides insights for the cross-section design of spiral concentrators for the effective separation of coarse-grained hematite and quartz.

Continuous packed bed column removal of Cr6+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions from synthetic wastewater using polymeric ultra‐permeable and biodegradable ferromagnetic nanocomposite membrane

AbstractWater purification techniques, including membrane technologies, ion exchange and adsorption, chemical/biochemical reduction, and electrochemical processes, have been developed to remove/recover metal ions species from polluted wastewater. This work assessed the efficiency of polymeric, biodegradable, ultra‐permeable and magnetic nanocomposite membrane (CNCs/N6@Fe3O4‐CT) in a continuous packed bed column for the removal of Cd(II), Cr(VI), and Pb(II) metal ions from synthetic wastewaters. The eco‐compatibility of CNCs/N6@Fe3O4‐CT was increased using chitosan biopolymer. Fe3O4 nanoparticles increased the surface area and improved the separation process. CNCs and N6 polymeric materials enhanced their strength, porosity, and additional binding sites. The CNCs/N6@Fe3O4‐CT nanocomposite membrane was employed as packing material in a fixed‐bed lab‐scale column (height 30 cm, diameter 1.5 cm) to constantly remove Cd(II), Cr(VI), and Pb(II) metal ions from synthetic wastewaters and actual hexavalent chromium tannery effluent. The studies were carried out with different initial metal ion concentrations (10, 20, and 30 mg/L), input flow rates (2, 4, and 6 mL/min), and solution pH values (2.0, 5.0, and 8.0). The obtained experimental data from the breakthrough curves was fitted to the traditional dynamic Thomas model, Yoon‐Nelson, and Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model.

Recycling Through Comminution: Characterization, Separation and Recycling Barriers of Metal Coated Polymers and Metallized Polymer Foams

The increasing global demand for raw materials underscores the importance of lightweight construction and sustainable material use, drawing attention to composite techniques like galvanic coating of plastics. To support recycling efforts, the development of efficient separation and material recovery processes is critical, particularly for end-of-life products containing metal-plated polymers. This study investigates the recyclability of metallized polymer foams and coated polymers through comminution, focusing on the potential for effective separation of metal and polymer components. Cu-ABS samples showed 27% of the products in the 8–10 mm fraction and 48% in the 10–16 mm fraction during primary comminution, while Cu-PUR achieved a more even distribution. Microscopic analyses revealed decoating rates of up to 95% for Cu-ABS compared to 19% for Cu-PUR. The comminution energy required for Cu-PUR was three times higher, with a fivefold lower decoating rate than solid materials. Particles larger than 200 µm exhibited interlocking, complicating the separation process. These findings highlight the need for optimized recycling processes to enable efficient raw material recovery and support a circular economy.

A pH-Dependent Phase Separation Drives Polyamine-Mediated Silicification from Undersaturated Solutions.

Silica polymerization from its soluble monomers is fundamental to many chemical processes. Although industrial methods require harsh conditions and concentrated precursors, biological silica precipitation occurs under ambient conditions from dilute solutions. The hallmark of biosilica is the presence of amine-rich organic macromolecules, but their functional role remains elusive. Here, we show a pH-dependent stimulatory effect of such polyamines on silica polymerization. Notably, this process is decoupled from the saturation degree, allowing the synthesis of polymer-silica hybrid products with controlled network morphologies from undersaturated solutions. The data suggest a two-step phase separation process. First, an associative liquid-liquid phase separation forms a micrometer-size dense phase. Second, silica undergoes a liquid-to-solid transition in the supersaturated condensates to form a bicontinuous silica structure. This study can inspire "soft chemistry" routes to design organic-inorganic nanomaterials with regulatory principles optimized by evolution.

Actin polymerization counteracts prewetting of N-WASP on supported lipid bilayers

Cortical condensates, transient punctate-like structures rich in actin and the actin nucleation pathway member Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), form during activation of the actin cortex in the Caenorhabditis elegans oocyte. Their emergence and spontaneous dissolution is linked to a phase separation process driven by chemical kinetics. However, the mechanisms that drive the onset of cortical condensate formation near membranes remain unexplored. Here, using a reconstituted phase separation assay of cortical condensate proteins, we demonstrate that the key component, N-WASP, can collectively undergo surface condensation on supported lipid bilayers via a prewetting transition. Actin partitions into the condensates, where it polymerizes and counteracts the N-WASP prewetting transition. Taken together, the dynamics of condensate-assisted cortex formation appear to be controlled by a balance between surface-assisted condensate formation and polymer-driven condensate dissolution. This opens perspectives for understanding how the formation of complex intracellular structures is affected and controlled by phase separation.

Consequences of distinguishing anthropomorphism from animism in experimental manipulations

AbstractAnimism (perceiving an object as alive) and anthropomorphism (perceiving an object as a person) are two distinct cognitive processes, but they have often been conflated in marketing research. For example, the popular method of manipulating anthropomorphism with a cognitive task (i.e., instructing participants to imagine and describe a product as alive and human) pertains to both animism and anthropomorphism. No research has examined how distinguishing anthropomorphism from animism can be harmful/beneficial for marketing research, and what consequences one might expect from this distinction in experiments. Through three studies, I demonstrate that animism and anthropomorphism are separate processes, with anthropomorphism yielding less elaborate product-related descriptions than animism, which deflates persuasive outcomes in the experiments. These findings can assist researchers in refining their experimental manipulations and enable the discovery of marketing effects that might otherwise go unnoticed.

High-Entropy Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks for Dynamic Hydrogen Isotope Separation.

Entropy-driven strategy enables the systematic design of complex systems by using entropy as a quantifiable design parameter for the degree of mixing. In this study, we present mixed-linker zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), sod-ZIF-1 series, that features two types of six-membered rings (6MRs) with aperture sizes of 3.4 Å and 1.7 Å. By adjusting the configurational entropy, the ratio of these 6MRs can be systematically controlled, which significantly influences adsorptive properties, particularly improving the H2 affinity about 3 times throughout the series. This results in the significant enhancement of retention times in dynamic separation of hydrogen isotopes (D2/H2), even over LNG liquefaction temperature. This approach to entropy-driven pore engineering provides new opportunities for enhancing gas adsorption and separation processes.

High‐Entropy Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks for Dynamic Hydrogen Isotope Separation

Entropy‐driven strategy enables the systematic design of complex systems by using entropy as a quantifiable design parameter for the degree of mixing. In this study, we present mixed‐linker zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), sod‐ZIF‐1 series, that features two types of six‐membered rings (6MRs) with aperture sizes of 3.4 Å and 1.7 Å. By adjusting the configurational entropy, the ratio of these 6MRs can be systematically controlled, which significantly influences adsorptive properties, particularly improving the H2 affinity about 3 times throughout the series. This results in the significant enhancement of retention times in dynamic separation of hydrogen isotopes (D2/H2), even over LNG liquefaction temperature. This approach to entropy‐driven pore engineering provides new opportunities for enhancing gas adsorption and separation processes.

Interaction of рarticles of different size classes in the separation flows

At present, theoretical concepts of gravitational separation processes are mainly limited by the study of the interaction between a flow and a solitary particle. Then the main conclusions of this analysis are applied to a mass process. However, this analysis is absolutely insufficient, because some elementary phenomena such as the ingress of coarse particles into the fine product output and vice versa cannot be interpreted from its standpoint. It is also impossible to predict the results of the classification of a material with a specific granulometric composition on a specific apparatus on its basis. This article discusses o more complete model of the process. It is based on the behavior of a plurality of particles of different sizes. This made it possible to determine the probalitity of particles of different sizes in the separation flows. This is how on additional parameter is obtained in the general process model.

Pattern Separation Involves Regions Beyond the Hippocampus in Non-demented elderly Individuals: a 7T Object Lure Task fMRI Study

Abstract Investigating the mechanism of differentiating similar representations, known as pattern separation, has primarily focused on the hippocampus. The roles of cortical regions and their interaction with the hippocampus remain largely unclear. In this study, we address this topic by analyzing whole-brain, high-resolution mnemonic similarity task (MST) fMRI data collected with a 7-Tesla MR scanner. Structural and functional MRI data were acquired from 55 non-demented elderly subjects. During the encoding phase of the MST task, participants responded with “indoor” or “outdoor” to 66 everyday objects. In the recognition phase, participants were asked to make “same” / “similar” / “new” judgements about objects that were either the same as previously seen objects (targets), similar but different from previously seen objects (lures), or new objects (foils). A general linear model was conducted on hippocampal regions of interest (ROIs) and at the whole-brain level with five conditions, including “new” response to foils (foil), “same” response to targets (hit), correct “similar” response to lure (lure correct rejection, LureCR), false “same” response to lure (lure false alarm, LureFA), and one condition for all others. The activity difference when lures were identified as “similar” compared to “same” (LureCR versus LureFA) was used to assess if a region is involved in pattern separation. An association analysis was conducted to test if lure discrimination performance was correlated with activity difference of hippocampal ROIs between LureCR and LureFA, as well as age. Task-based functional connectivity between hippocampal ROIs and other regions involved in pattern separation was examined. In the hippocampal ROI analysis, left anterior CA3/DG showed greater activity in LureCR condition compared to LureFA. All other hippocampal ROIs did not show differential activity. Better lure discrimination performance was associated with larger activity difference between LureCR and LureFA at left anterior CA3/DG and right anterior subiculum. In the whole-brain analyses, regions in the frontoparietal network (FPN) consistently showed increased activity in the Hit, LureCR and LureFA conditions, and the activity was right-lateralized for Hit and LureFA conditions but bilateral for LureCR condition. Eleven clusters, mainly located in the left hemisphere, were identified to show significant activity difference between LureCR and LureFA condition, including left FPN, middle temporal lobe and subcortical regions. In summary, with the whole-brain high-resolution MST fMRI data, regions exhibiting the pattern separation signature were found to be lateralized to the left hemisphere in elderly participants. The left and right FPN are suggested to have distinct functional roles in the MST. The right FPN contributes to retrieving previously viewed same or similar objects, while the left FPN is preferentially involved in pattern separation. Furthermore, the pattern separation process might require the coordinated effort of FPN and hippocampus, with their interaction potentially mediated by subcortical regions.

Impact of Process and Machine Parameters in the Charging Section on the Triboelectric Separation of Wheat Flour in a Vertical Separator

Triboelectric separation has recently been investigated as a novel process for dry enrichment and separation of protein of various crops like wheat flour. The triboelectric effect allows for the separation of starch and protein particles in an electric field based on their different charging behavior despite having a similar density and size distribution. Particles are triboelectrically charged in a charging section before being separated in an electric field based on their polarity. While the charging section is crucial, the influence of process parameters remains largely unexplored. Thus, the influence of the charging sections’ dimensions and the particle concentration as process key parameters was investigated experimentally. Varying the length (0, 105, and 210 mm) showed that the protein shift increases with the length (max. 0.53%) during separation. Varying the diameter (6, 8, and 10 mm) influenced the charging behavior, resulting in an increase in protein accumulation on the negative electrode as the diameter decreased. Varying the mass flow of flour (40, 80, 160, and 320 g·h−1) also affected the separability, leading to a maximum protein shift of 0.61%. Based on the observed results, it is hypothesized that the electrostatic agglomeration behavior of oppositely charged particles is directly affected by alterations in machine parameters. These agglomerates have a charge-to-mass ratio that is too low for separation in the electric field.

Influence and Mechanism of Solid-Phase Particle Factors on Oil–Solid Separation of Oily Sludge Treated by Flotation Method

The solid phase composition in oily sludge (OS) is a key factor affecting the oil–solid separation of OS. In this paper, the effects and mechanisms of solid-phase particle factors on the oil content of residue phase were investigated in order to improve the oil–solid separation efficiency. Flotation experiments were carried out on single-size sand and mixed-size sand OS consisting of three particle sizes at room temperature without adding flotation reagents. The effects of different-size particles as solid phase composition of OS and flotation parameter settings such as flotation temperature (Tp), flotation time (Tt), impeller speed (Rs) and liquid-solid ratio (L/OS) on the oil–solid separation efficiency were investigated. The experimental results showed that the oil content of residue phase decreased with the increasing of solid-phase particle size for single-size sand OS, and the optimal flotation conditions were Tp of 50 °C, Tt of 25 min, Rs of 1450 r/min and L/OS of 12:1. The oil–solid separation was more pronounced for mixed-size sand OS with a complex particle composition, while different particle compositions of the solid phase in OS promoted oil–solid separation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) characterisation of OS before and after flotation confirmed the relative advantage of coarse particle OS in the oil–solid separation process. The classical first-order model was well fitted to the flotation kinetic process of single-size sand and mixed-size sand OS. The response surface methodology (RSM) method was used to determine the Rs as the main control factor of the flotation process, and the oil content of residue phase in mixed-size sand OS was optimised to 2.63%. This study provides important process parameters and theoretical basis for the efficient treatment of OS.

ТЕОРЕТИКО-МЕТОДОЛОГІЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ПРОБЛЕМИ ЕМОЦІЙНОЇ СЕПАРАЦІЇ В ПРОЦЕСІ СТАНОВЛЕННЯ ОСОБИСТІСНОЇ ІДЕНТИЧНОСТІ В ЮНАЦЬКОМУ ВІЦІ

Purpose. The article reveals a theoretical and methodological analysis of the problem of emotional separation in the process of forming personal identity in youth. The goal was to study the characteristics of emotional separation in youth. Methods. To achieve the goals, the following methods of scientific and theoretical study of the problem were used: analysis, synthesis, abstraction, systematization, generalization to define the concept of the essence of emotional separation, modeling - in order to determine the impact of emotional separation on the formation of personal identity in youth. Results. The theoretical and methodological analysis of the thematic scientific and psychological literature on the problems of emotional separation and personal self-identity in youth gave reasons to affirm the existence of a relationship between them. As mentioned earlier, the concept of emotional separation has not yet gained momentum in the literature in any field. Psychology and related sciences have the opportunity to accept this concept and build a theoretical basis for it within the framework of our profession. During successful emotional separation, young people and adolescents remain psychologically independent, emotionally separating from their parents while simultaneously developing a sense of trust in them. However, independence from parents is not just emotional separation. Attachment theory emphasizes the importance of the emotional bond between parents and children, which impairs the child's adaptive independence from parents - the process of separation. Secure relationships between parents and adolescents can promote healthy autonomy and, in their case, positive psychosocial adaptation, as well as the formation of personal identity. Conclusions. In adolescence, the child's opportunities expand, which is marked, in particular, by the emotional separation of the subject from his family context. That is, emotional separation of the child from the parents, which is a completely healthy process. Our research is precisely an attempt to reveal how the personal identity of young men is related to the parameters of the relationship between them and their parents, that is, emotional separation.

Application of some cationic pullulan and curdlan derivatives as flocculants in fungicides-containing wastewater purification

The ability of some cationic pullulan (TMAPx-P) and curdlan (TMAP0.4-C) derivative to remove different fungicide particles from synthetic wastewater has been studied. Commercial fungicides formulations of different type, Bordeaux mixture (BM), Dithan M45 (Dt) and Melody Compact49 WG (MC) have been used. The influence of some parameters related to the dispersion characteristics (suspension pH and salinity) and the polysaccharide derivatives (polymer dose, the ionic groups content, flexibility) on the separation process have been assessed. All the polysaccharide samples revealed a good removal efficiency (RE%) for the fungicide formulations prepared in saltless aqueous solutions, namely between 94 and 98 % for BM, 81.5–85 % for Dt, 88–91 % for MC. Slightly higher residual fungicides absorbance percent values for the suspensions prepared in the presence of salts (up to 7 %) than those prepared in water have been noticed. Less amount of BM and MC particles were removed in acidic pH than in water and basic pH, while contrary results were recorded in case of Dt ones, irrespective of the flocculant used. However, the RE% values were located between 79 % and 98 % over the entirely suspension pH investigated. Both zeta potential and floc size measurements indicated the charge patch flocculation mechanism for the fungicide particles separation.

The evaluation of pressure swing thermal coupling technology based on intelligent optimization algorithms in the ethylbenzene/styrene separation process

The evaluation of pressure swing thermal coupling technology based on intelligent optimization algorithms in the ethylbenzene/styrene separation process

Capillary Electrophoresis with Diode Array Detection for the Quantification of Triptorelin and Lanreotide in Pharmaceutical Quality Control: Development, Validation, Greenness and Practicality Evaluation

Abstract Aim Capillary electrophoresis (CE)-based methods hold significant potential for routine use in pharmaceutical quality control (QC) laboratories. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel, green, and simple hydrodynamically open-system capillary zone electrophoresis method with diode-array detection (CZE-DAD) for the simultaneous analysis of lanreotide and triptorelin in a single electrophoretic run and to objectively evaluate the analytical technique’s greenness and practicality for application in the pharmaceutical QC settings. Materials and Methods The two therapeutic peptides were analysed using a commercially available CZE-DAD analytical system. The separation process was optimised by changing the composition and concentration of the background electrolyte (BGE). The developed method was validated in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Q2(R1) guidelines, and Diphereline® (powdered form for injection, 0.1 mg of triptorelin acetate) was used as a real dosage form of triptorelin. Greenness and practicality were evaluated using Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), Analytical GREEnness (AGREE), and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) metrics. Results The optimised method utilised 250 mmol/L formic acid as the BGE, achieving high separation efficiency and short migration times, where both the peptides were analysed in <5 min. The method showed excellent linearity (r 2 > 0.99), precision (relative standard deviation [RSD] <7.1%), and accuracy (92.7%–113.6%). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 0.5 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL, respectively. The method was also found to be environmentally friendly, with high scores achieved in both the GAPI and AGREE assessments, while also being practical, with a BAGI score of >60. Conclusions The newly developed CZE-DAD method proved to be a reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable alternative to liquid chromatography (LC)-based methods for the analysis of lanreotide and triptorelin. The method’s acceptable validation parameters and favourable greenness and practicality scores support its high application potential in pharmaceutical QC laboratories.

Hydrogen recovery from steam methane reforming using the ITQ-12 zeolite

The aim of this work is to investigate the potential use of the ITQ-12 zeolite in a PSA process to obtain purified hydrogen from the SMR product stream using molecular simulation. Since the main components of the product stream are hydrogen and carbon dioxide, we put the focus on the separation of these two gases. The separation of hydrogen from the other components (methane, carbon monoxide and nitrogen) will be briefly touched upon as well. From inspection of the adsorption isotherms of carbon dioxide and hydrogen in ITQ-12 we found that the former gas dominates at industrially relevant conditions (311 K and 16 ⋅105 Pa). Breakthrough curves reveal that the ITQ-12 zeolite is likely to perform well in a PSA process for the separation of hydrogen from carbon dioxide. We found that in general higher column lengths and lower gas feed velocities are favourable for a good separation while higher gas feed velocities are favourable for the cleansing of carbon dioxide from the column. For the full mixture it is necessary to employ longer column lengths in order to separate hydrogen from the other components. This is because nitrogen and carbon monoxide exhibit retention times similar to hydrogen, though the latter still travels through the column the fastest. Alternatively the use of ITQ-12 could be combined with other separation techniques, where ITQ-12 is used to mainly remove CO2 and CH4 from the SMR product stream. These findings suggest that SMR could become an economically viable way to produce hydrogen by using ITQ-12 in the separation process.

Redefining the waste: Sustainable management of olive mill waste for the recovery of phenolic compounds and organic acids

The olive oil industry generates significant amounts of olive mill waste (OMW), which poses environmental challenges due to its high organic load and phenolic content. This study investigates an eco-friendly approach to managing OMW by recovering valuable phenolic compounds (PCs) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) through an integrated process. The methodology involves a filter press, followed by a self-cleaning mechanical vapor recompression (SCMVR) process for water and volatile compounds separation, and a subsequent liquid-liquid extraction for PCs. 99 % of the VFAs were recovered as organic acid salts from the SCMVR distillate and characterized using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction process, considering variables such as solvent type, pH, temperature, and extraction time. The liquid-liquid extraction process yielded a 98 % recovery of PCs with two-stage extraction process, including key phenolic species such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, oleuropein, coumaric acid and gallic acid, identified by LC-MS/MS. This study highlights the potential for converting olive mill waste into valuable resources, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting a circular economy in the olive oil industry.

Turning Waste into Treasure: Utilizing Environment-Pollutant Graphite Tailings as Photocatalyst for Photocatalytic Building Materials

Graphite tailings, as solid waste residuals from graphite extraction and refinement, pose serious risks to the surrounding ecological environment and the safety of residents’ lives. However, it is desirable but challenging how to rationalize the utilization of graphite tailings and further to develop their functionality. Herein, we demonstrate a "turning waste into treasure" strategy: capitalizing on the characteristics of graphite tailings in visible light absorption and rich metal catalytic sites, graphite tailings are employed as photocatalysts and fine aggregates to manufacture photocatalytic building materials, achieving sustainable use. Tailings powder from Luobei, Heilongjiang Province is selected as the photocatalyst, we discover that it exhibits photocatalytic degradation capability for methylene blue (MB) in water under visible-light irradiation: the degradation rates reach 70% within one hour and near-complete degradation within two hours, accompanying good recyclability. Structural analysis reveals that the graphite tailings are enriched with Fe2O3 and TiO2. They are capable of forming type-II heterojunction that enable efficient charge separation and transfer processes, transmitting photogenerated electrons to the active catalytic site to accomplish the photocatalytic degradation of MB. Moreover, other tailings, such as those from Jixi, also achieve photocatalytic degradation of MB, and cement specimens made with graphite tailings also bespoke photocatalytic degradation performance. This work is to provide solutions for the reuse of graphite tailings in the field of functional building materials, and to explore the feasibility of transforming graphite tailings from industrial solid waste to photocatalytic building materials.

Dual-laser powder bed fusion using 450 nm diode area melting and 1064 nm galvo-scanning fiber laser sources

This study introduces an innovative dual laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/D) system, which combines two distinct laser processing methods to enhance control over microstructural outcomes. Unlike conventional PBF-LB systems that employ a single laser type, this dual-laser setup integrates a traversing Diode Area Melting (DAM) laser head with multiple 450 nm diode lasers (4 W each) and a traditional high-power (200 W) 1064 nm fiber-laser. This unique configuration allows for significantly different melt pool solidification rates within the same layer. For the first time, Ti6Al4V feedstock was processed using both laser types within a single sample. A specific scanning strategy defined separate laser processing regions, including an overlap where both lasers interacted to fuse the feedstock and bridge the two regions. The fiber-laser melted (FLM) regions experienced much higher cooling rates (∼107 °C/s) than the DAM regions (∼600 °C/s), resulting in acicular ά/α phases. In contrast, DAM regions exhibited larger grains, with parent β grain sizes approximately 13 times larger than those in the FLM zone. This dual laser system investigation not only demonstrates microstructural in-situ spatial tailoring but also highlights variations in the laser-induced heat-affected zone, surface roughness, and mechanical properties across different regions within the fabricated Ti6Al4V samples.