Grantee Research Project Results
Development of a Membrane-Based System for the Recovery and Reuse of Solvents
EPA Contract Number: 68D60021Title: Development of a Membrane-Based System for the Recovery and Reuse of Solvents
Investigators: McCray, Scott B.
Small Business: Bend Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1996 through March 1, 1997
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Increasingly, industry is recycling solvents to prevent pollution and minimize costs for the purchase of fresh solvents and the hauling and disposal of hazardous waste. However, recycling is difficult because many solvents form azeotropes that are difficult to break using traditional technologies (e.g., distillation). The use of membrane processes for these separations has been limited, due to high costs and limitations in current modules and process designs.Bend Research, Inc.'s goal is to develop a cost-effective membrane system for the recovery and reuse of solvents. This system employs two innovations: 1) solvent- and temperature-resistant hollow-fiber modules, and 2) a novel operating mode that maximizes system performance. These innovations will make possible a system design that should have the low cost, performance, and versatility to be applicable to numerous solvent-recycle applications.
Phase I will be focused on an important industrial target: the recycle of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in the microelectronics industry. They will demonstrate that the system should produce a high-purity IPA stream suitable for recycle, at an affordable cost. In Phase II, they will develop the system, conduct pilot tests, and examine the use of the technology for other applications, generating the data needed for commercialization.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, engineering, chemistry, air emissions., Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Hazardous, Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Hazardous Waste, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Engineering, recycled waste products, waste recovery, chemical use efficiency, clean technology, waste minimization, industrial waste, membrane technology, pollution prevention, hazardous waste treatment, solvent recovery, electronics , isopropyl alcohol recovery, cleaner production, waste reduction, membrane processes, electronics industry, industrial process, advanced treatment technologies, hazardous chemicals, pollution controlProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Development of a Membrane-Based System for the Recovery and Reuse of SolventsThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.