CMS Custom Separation Process
1. Understanding customer's separation need
Target separation
Target solvent dryness and recovery
Drawbacks/limitations of alternative drying methods
Desired flow rate
Batch or continuous process
Ideal and acceptable drying temperature range
Safety considerations
Design considerations
Compatibility
Feasibility
Economics
Safety
2. Quick feasibility assessment based on similar solvents
CMS uses extensive solvent drying data set to find separation with similar chemistry and composition.
CMS data is coupled with customer separation details to provide an estimate of the number required membranes to meet the drying specification.
3. Feasibility test
Customer Provides
- 1-3 gallon sample material
- Sample material(s) SDS
- Sample water concentration
- Target solvent dryness/purity
- Maximum allowable solvent loss
- Sample material limitations
- liquid-side pressure drop
- maximum temperature
- inventory/hold-up volume
Customer Receives
- Drying feasibility (yes/no)
- Membrane count for full system
- Practically achievable drying level
- Solvent loss to permeate
- Dried sample material along with permeate
4. Agree on important design parameters with customer
Flow rates
Ideal temperature range
Safety rating (explosion proof)
Holdup volumes
Controls
Integration points
Vacuum source
Available utilities
5. Example membrane bank for continuous solvent drying application
6. System build
Upon agreement on the system design CMS will build a custom dehydration system. If necessary CMS will bring in an outside fabrication team to facilitate the system build.
7. Membrane system installation
The system pictured to the left was operational and producing on-spec, dry solvent within 3 days of arrival.