The Vital Role of Laboratory Services in Separation Process Development

Introduction: The Foundation of Successful Separation Process Development

In the competitive world of chemical and process industries, success starts in the laboratory. Sulzer’s lab and pilot laboratory services offer the essential first step by providing comprehensive experimental studies, physical property measurements, and bench-scale testing.

These laboratory services form the technical foundation for developing efficient, reliable, and scalable separation processes.

Whether confirming feasibility, supporting early-stage process design, or guiding technology selection, Sulzer’s lab and pilot services enable clients to reduce risks and make informed decisions long before committing to costly pilot or industrial scale trials.

Comprehensive Physical Property Measurements for Realistic Scale-Up

Beyond relying on literature data, Sulzer’s laboratory services leverage advanced equipment and expertise to measure critical physical and thermodynamic parameters directly from your real feed samples. Key measurements include:

• Vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE): Essential for understanding phase behavior during vapor and liquid separations

• Liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE): Crucial for solvent extraction and multi-phase separations

• Temperature-dependent density, viscosity, and interfacial tension: To accurately model mass transfer and fluid dynamics

• Detailed impurity profiling to anticipate and address separation challenges associated with your unique feedstock

This data ensures that subsequent lab, pilot, and commercial scale operations are based on realistic and highly reliable parameters.

Bench-Scale Testing: Rapid Feasibility with Minimal Feedstock

Sulzer’s bench-scale laboratory services provide cost-effective and timely answers by testing with small sample quantities. This includes:

• Evaporation tests using rotary evaporators or glass thin-film evaporators specialized for sensitive or limited-volume feeds

• Extraction tests via single agitated cells or shaking tests to evaluate phase separation and dispersion

• Rectification tests in laboratory or spinning band columns validating distillation steps for purity and separation efficiency

• Liquid-phase reactions performed in agitated glass reactors for early reaction environment assessment

Bench-scale testing accelerates early project stages, ensuring only viable processes progress toward pilot or commercial development.

Flexible Toll Separation Services for On-Demand Purification

Sulzer’s laboratory services also include toll separation and purification offerings. Leveraging the full suite of lab and pilot equipment at its IntecH centers, Sulzer provides on-demand purification tailored for:

• Product launches prior to dedicated plant availability

• Small batch sample preparation for in-house application testing or customer demonstrations

• Flexible and rapid turnaround purification using your actual feed materials under controlled conditions

This flexibility supports a wide array of customer needs, minimizing capital investment while maximizing technical support.

Conclusion: Sulzer’s Lab and Pilot Laboratory Services as Your Process Development Partner

Sulzer’s lab and pilot laboratory services are the critical starting point for any separation process development journey. By providing realistic physical property data, rapid and reliable bench-scale testing, and on-demand purification capabilities, Sulzer empowers customers to make informed choices, mitigate scale-up risks, and accelerate time to market.

Partner with Sulzer today to harness comprehensive laboratory services that turn your process concepts into industrial realities.