Phase Separation Solutions Inc.


The Thermal Profile Flow Program		To choose Phase Separation Solutions is to choose one of the most advanced thermal treatment technologies available. The technology is a closed loop, low temperature, thermal desorption process. What that means is that it is capable of separating hydrocarbons, with boiling points up to 550 Degrees Celcius, from any material where oil is present in any form without direct contact with flame while producing a clean, inert residue. The difference is that with no direct contact there is no combustion and no opportunity for harmful air emissions to be produced or released into the environment. As a result the technology has been permitted in Canada and around the world to treat some of the most toxic compounds ever manufactured. The unit utilizes this indirect heating as the principal process to separate hydrocarbons from the waste stream at the same time as the waste is being pyrolized into inert, unrecognizable residue. This unique process offers the same destructive benefit of traditional incineration with the added benefit of oil recovery. This unique application of a proven technology is the Pyrolytic-Depolymerization-Desorption (PDD) Process. 1) PDD Process Material is fed through a hopper into a rotary paddle airlock, which in turn meters material into indirectly heated extraction chambers, which are located in a directly heated chamber. The heated chamber is heated by the combustion of natural gas via burners. The heat is indirectly transferred via conduction through the extraction chamber shell to the host material. The corresponding increase in host material temperature results in volatilization of the hydrocarbons. At the same time any and all plastics and resins in the material, primarily from packaging, are depolymerized. Simply put depolymerization is the conversion of long chain hydrocarbons (plastic and resin) back into short chain hydrocarbon vapours (oil) through the application of indirect heat in a low oxygen environment. This process occurs within the Extraction Chamber Unit. 2) Condensation The second stage involves cooling the desorbed gases (hydrocarbon vapour) and condensing them into liquid. The gases are first cooled in a direct quench process using water recovered from the process and constantly cleaned and recycled. At these temperatures, the hydrocarbons are completely re-condensed and captured in the liquid stream. The liquid stream is routed through a three-phase (oil/water/solids) separator where the separated hydrocarbons are directed to a storage tank. The water is directed through a surge tank to the Cooler Unit where it is brought to ambient temperature before being returned to the quench system. Surplus water is directed to a carbon/sand filtration system and on to a storage tank for testing. Not all hydrocarbon vapours generated during the depolymerization/desorption process can be recondensed. This stream contains non-condensable hydrocarbons and synthesis gases. These gases are directed through activated carbon and then into the heating system as supplemental fuel reducing the reliance of external natural gas. While processing plastic rich pharmaceutical and consumer product waste the volume of non-condensable gas produced can be sufficient to displace a significant portion of our virgin natural gas requirements further reducing the overall environmental footprint. Since natural gas is the primary fuel source and is combusted, no air emissions are created that are any different from those found in a standard industrial boiler or heating system. 3) Treated Solids All solids are cooled and collected for analysis depending upon the primary hydrocarbon being removed. Once they are confirmed clean they can be safely put to use as valuable landfill cover. Typical volume reduction when treated using the TPS is greater than 90%.