OCETA ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY PROFILES
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APUŽ ACID
PURIFICATION UNIT FOR METAL FINISHING OPERATIONS CAT. #03016/04014/09021 |
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PROCESS/ PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION:
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The Eco-Tec APUŽ (Acid Purification Unit) is in operation at installations around the world as a highly efficient and fully automated method to purify and recover inorganic acids commonly used in the metal processing and finishing industries. The APUŽ employs ion exchange resins which have the ability to sorb acids from solution but exclude metallic salts of those acids (Figure 1). The process is reversible in that the acid can be readily desorbed from the resin with water. The efficient use of these resins is made possible by utilizing an ion exchange technique known as RecofloŽ (reciprocating flow ion exchange). |  Figure 2: AnoPurTM Acid Purification Unit |
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 Figure 1: Sorption Resin Bead |
RecofloŽ is characterized by fine particle size resins, counter current elution, short column heights, fixed over-packed resin beds, short cycles, and a number of other features. Typically, acid formulations are used in processes such as steel pickling, aluminum anodizing, and brass etching. Eventually these acid baths become spent due to high metal content and need to be replaced even though there is still an appreciable quantity of free acid that can be used. | The APUŽ continuously purifies these acid solutions of the metal contaminants thereby reducing acid purchases, neutralization costs, bath dumping and reformulation, resulting in a consistent and predictable bath operation at all times. For small to mid-sized operations, Eco-Tec provides a standardized APUŽ known as AnoPurTM for aluminum anodizers while MicroPurTM is designed for general acid/metal separation requirements. Figure 2 shows a typical AnoPurTM unit. | |
PROCESS/ PRODUCT
APPLICATION:
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The Eco-Tec APUŽ has been put in use worldwide in various metal finishing applications and sectors since its introduction in 1976. The APUŽ is most commonly used for the purification of aluminum anodizing baths, where a consistently low aluminum concentration must be maintained to ensure the quality of the anodized surface. |  |
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| The APUŽ is in use world-wide for the purification and recovery of stainless steel pickle liquors. | Table 1 outlines some typical acid/metal processes where the APUŽ has been extensively employed. | ||
PROCESS/
PRODUCT OPERATION:
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The Eco-Tec APUŽ is designed to ensure minimal floor space requirements. The use of fine mesh resin and compact exchange beds 12-24" (30-60 cm) in height eliminates the need for large vertical columns and allows units to be skid-mounted. |  |
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 Figure 3: Acid Sorption and Water Wash steps |
Increased metal removal capacities are achieved by increasing the diameter of the resin bed. The basic operation of the unit is shown in Figure 3 as depicted for an aluminum anodizing application. There are two main steps in the cycle--sorption and wash. During the sorption step, acid is pumped upward through the resin column. Free acid is sorbed by the resin, while the metal salt solution passes through. During the desorption step, water passes down through the resin column to extract the free acid product from the resin. | The equipment alternates automatically from sorption to desorption every few minutes. The net result is a virtually continuous process for acid purification and metal salt removal. Typical operating conditions are shown in Table 2 for an APUŽ operating on an aluminum anodizing feed solution. Approximately 96% of the free sulfuric acid fed to the unit is recovered for reuse. In general, for most acid/metal formulations, an APUŽ will remove 60% of the metal contaminants while recovering 90% of the free acid in a single pass. | |
| VENDOR INFORMATION: Eco-Tec Inc. |
Eco-Tec Inc. is a private company that has been designing and manufacturing chemical recovery systems for the metal finishing industry since 1970. Eco-Tec's products are also used for water treatment and specialty applications in pulp and paper and hydrometallurgical operations. The company has over 1100 installations worldwide and offers a broad range of systems based on the RecofloŽ ion exchange process. The company provides full in-house design, process and customer service engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and testing at its main facility. | The company provides full in-house design, process and customer service engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and testing at its main facility. Eco-Tec Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary located in the United Kingdom, manufactures systems for its European and Middle Eastern clients. Prosep Technologies, Eco-Tec's development subsidiary, develops new applications based on the latest separation technologies with the use of its analytical lab and pilot plant operations housed in the main facility. | Eco-Tec Inc. and Prosep Technologies Inc. together hold over 40 active patents and 12 registered trademarks. Eco-Tec Inc. is a recipient of the Government of Canada's Canada Award for Business Excellence and is rated as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Private Companies 1995-1997. |
This document was originally published February, 1999. It is best viewed with the font Times, size 12. While OCETA has reviewed this product/process with the Vendor and conducted limited independent investigation, OCETA assumes no responsibility fo r the accuracy and completeness of the information. |
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