Process Development
IEX works with clients to develop and validate scavenger solutions against their actual process before deployment at scale.
In practice, process streams behave differently from laboratory model solutions. Working directly with client material at every stage of development means the solution is built on accurate data.
The IEX Approach
IEX works directly with material from the client's process at every stage, building a validated picture of performance from initial screening through to full-scale implementation.
The depth of process development is matched to the scale and complexity of the application. Not every project requires every step.
Where volumes are smaller or tolerances are wider, a simpler approach may be sufficient. Where the application involves large volumes, tight specifications, or significant capital investment, a more thorough programme is warranted.
Initial Screening
Candidate scavenger materials are tested against the client's process stream. This establishes which materials can capture the target ions and at what level of performance.
Isotherm Testing
Scavenger capacity for the target ion is measured in the client's specific liquid. This defines how much of the target species a given quantity of scavenger can capture under process conditions, forming the foundation for scale-up modelling.
Kinetic Testing
The rate at which the target ion is captured from the liquid phase onto the solid scavenger is assessed. This informs contact time requirements and equipment sizing for the full-scale solution.
Scale-Up Modelling
Using isotherm and kinetic data, IEX builds a numerical model to predict full-scale performance. This allows the proposed solution to be evaluated and refined before any site work begins.
Onsite Validation
Where the application warrants it, IEX provides a pilot skid and personnel to conduct a validation trial at the client's site. Real operating conditions, live feed variability, and extended run time are factors that lab testing cannot fully replicate.
Full-Scale Process Design
Building on lab data and onsite validation, IEX produces a full-scale process design covering equipment specification, integration requirements, and operating parameters, forming the basis for deployment.