Phase Separation Solutions Inc.


The TPS Extraction Chamber		To choose Phase Separation Solutions (PS2) is to choose one of the most advanced thermal treatment technologies available. The TPS technology is a closed loop, indirectly heated, 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 host matrix (soil, pharmaceutical waste, industrial sludge or consumer waste) without direct contact with flame while producing a clean, inert residue. The difference is that with no direct contact there is no combustion and therefore limited opportunity for harmful air emissions, common with many traditional incinerators, 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 TPS unit utilizes this indirect heating as the principal process to separate the oil from the solids in the sludge matrix up to 70% oil by volume. The oil is recovered for recycling and reuse while the resulting solids can be safely disposed of. Squeezing as much value as possible from a limited resource while offering an ecologically sound approach to sludge management; that is PS2. That is the TPS technology. 1) Desorption/Volatilization Sludge can be pumped directly into the indirectly heated extraction chamber, which passes through a directly heated jacket called the "firebox" while solid paint waste is shredded and fed into the same chamber via a hopper and rotary paddle airlock. While the pumping system and airlock are designed to prevent oxygen from entering the chamber PS2 takes the extra step of regularly purging the chamber with nitrogen for added safety. The firebox 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. 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 used as valuable landfill cover. In the case of sludge the volume reduction is greater than 70%.