Sulzer buys silica membrane technology
12 Jun 2000
Sulzer Chemtech has bought the rights to a solvent-dehydrating technology based on silica membranes, which works with a wider range of solvents than is currently possible. The firm acquired the rights from the developers of the technique at the Netherlands Energy Research Foundation.
The membranes work by vapour pervaporation and, because they are based on silica rather than the more conventional polymers, can be used at high temperatures. They are also acid-resistant, unlike zeolite membranes which have a similar mode of action. The technology is capable of dehydrating alcohols and esters, and also aromatic esters including DMAc, NVP and DMF, and nonpolar solvents such as EtAc and IPAc.
* Sulzer has also acquired the rights to Shell's high capacity tray technology, used to enhance separation in distillation. The agreement is part of a larger alliance which makes Sulzer the authorised supplier of Shell's high-end mass transfer equipment, which will be offered in conjunction with Shell process licences. The alliance will be formally launched at the Achema exhibition in Frankfurt (see Exhibition Preview starting on p43)
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