Intensified SOlvent extraction for critical MEtal Recovery (ISOMER)

This project deals with the intensification of solvent (liquid-liquid) extraction technology for small-volume, but high-value streams containing critical metals. To that end, research is performed on 1) the chemical development and optimisation of solvent extraction systems in milliflow devices using ionic liquids, 2) the improvement of contacting and separation efficiency by the application of ultrasound in these milliflow devices, and 3) the scale up and application of the (both chemically and technologically) intensified system, including the comparison to the conventional mixer-settler approach. The work will be performed on three case-studies. The project results enable to increase the efficiency of separation processes in the materials and chemical industry, and contribute to the sustainable chemical processing in society.