eraldamisprotsess

Eraldamisprotsess, commonly translated as separation process, refers to a set of operations aimed at separating a mixture into two or more distinct components. It is a core concept in chemical engineering and process industries, including chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food, and environmental applications. In Estonian usage, the term encompasses both physical separation methods that do not involve chemical reactions and processes that rely on selective transformations prior to separation.

Common methods in eraldamisprotsess include distillation, which separates components based on differences in boiling points; extraction, which uses differences in solubility between immiscible or partially immiscible phases; filtration, which removes solids by size; crystallization, which forms solid crystals from a solution; and drying, which removes moisture. Membrane separation uses semi-permeable barriers to separate by size or selectivity, while adsorption relies on selective adherence to a solid surface. Centrifugation leverages density differences under rotational force, and chromatography separates components based on interactions with a stationary phase.

Design and evaluation of separation processes rely on mass transfer and phase equilibria principles. Feasibility depends on component properties, energy costs, solvent availability, and environmental considerations. Typical equipment includes distillation columns, extractors, filter presses, crystallizers, dryers, centrifuges, and membrane modules. Performance is assessed by purity, yield, and energy intensity, as well as economic and environmental factors.

Applications span purification of chemicals and fuels, water and wastewater treatment, production of pharmaceuticals and foods, and the recovery of valuable materials from ores or spent products. The choice of eraldamisprotsess type depends on the specific mixture, desired products, and practical constraints.