Employees of the Kuban State Technological University (KubSTU) presented an innovative technology for processing waste silica gel. This material is widely used in the gas industry for gas drying and purification, and the new technique allows not only to recycle it, but also to obtain valuable by-products.
Spent silica gel, which is amorphous silicon dioxide, is actively used in adsorbers for drying and gas stripping. However, its disposal has long remained a problem for the industry. KubSTU scientists proposed a solution based on liquid-phase desorption of hydrocarbons absorbed by silica gel using high-octane gasoline.
After desorption, the silica gel is regenerated with nitrogen, which makes it possible to restore its properties for reuse. In addition, the technology makes it possible to obtain valuable by-products: stable condensate, propane-butane fraction (PBF), fuel gas, methanol and process water prepared for further use.
The development of KubGTU not only solves the problem of recycling waste silica gel, but also contributes to a more efficient use of resources in the gas industry. This is an important step towards sustainable development and reducing environmental burden.
Source: geonews.ru
Photo: catalogmineralov.ru
