Multiphase Microchannel Separator
Executive Summary
Technical Challenge
- Develop fundamental understanding of the operation of microscale-based separators for enhanced extraction
- Cost-effective manufacturing of the microchannel plates and identification of applications with most direct applicability
Potential Impact
This technology has demonstrated three to four orders of magnitude reduction in power input per liquid volume compared to conventional technology and has shown a 500x increase in mass transfer coefficient, resulting in faster processing and higher throughput per unit. This will allow the hardware to be significantly smaller and less expensive to produce. Microchannel systems are scalable, making them highly suitable for modular chemical processing. This technology has significant potential to de-risk CapEx associated with downstream separations in small to medium chemical plant applications.
Resources
Oregon State University has expertise in micro-structured chemical reactors and separators for materials processing as well as in high-throughput microchannel processing technology.