Ask five process engineers how they picked their last separation technology, and you’ll get five different answers. That gap is exactly what I’m addressing at this year’s Powder & Bulk Solids conference in Houston, where I’ve been asked to organize all eight wet processing sessions and open the track myself with “Fundamentals of Solid-Liquid Separation.”
The wet processing session has grown fast. I spoke at the last two events to strong response, and this year the two-day technical and networking conference is anchored around the framework from my book, Integration and Optimization of Unit Operations (Elsevier), which organized wet processes across plant types by the operations themselves. P&BS recognized how closely that maps to their own focus on the interconnection between powders and solid-liquid separation and asked me to open the session with the fundamentals talk. I’m honored.
A Holistic Process Solutions Approach
Perlmutter & Idea Development (P&ID)’s holistic process solutions approach is the backbone of this talk. I’ve said before, and will probably say many times more, every process has distinct requirements, which means solid-liquid separation technology selection can’t be reduced to a checklist. It starts with slurry characteristics and process parameters, then moves through bulk separation technologies for high-solids slurries (e.g., batch or continuous, pressure or vacuum) down to clarification, where the job is removing or recovering fine solids anywhere from 1–5% solids down to PPM levels.
I’ll close my talk with P&ID’s Solid-Liquid Separation Decision Matrix. This tool turns those five different answers into one defensible one. The matrix has three components: material properties, mechanical properties of the technology, and separation technology performance. Fill in the boxes relevant to your application, rank your options, then weigh them against your operational, economic, and plant (internal and external) objectives.
Join Me at P&BS Houston
If you’re headed to Powder & Bulk Solids Houston, use promo code GUEST for 25% off registration. It’s a great event that provides an opportunity to level up your expertise and stay current with the latest trends and tools, interact with processing experts and get access to our insights and advice while expanding your network.
Can’t make it? P&ID can bring this talk, or a custom version of it, to your facility. Contact P&ID today.