Prospectus

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OR-4 Study Alternate Separation Process Expected Benefit toMembers: As energy costs increase other low-cost separation techniques will become more economic. This study will determine if there are devices that FRI should research beyond distillation. Present Situation and Proposed Research: FRI’s work has primarily been with distillation. Perhaps it is time to begin investigating what research is needed in other separation techniques. In particular separation via partial freezing of liquid solutions should be investigated. The first phase of this would be a literature review and paper study to determine what factors might make alternative fractionating techniques more attractive than distillation, what candidate technologies should be studies, and whether or not they can be studied in the existing FRI equipment. Later phases of the project would do the actual experimental work. Proposed Internals and Test System: None for this phase Estimated Unit Time: Probably requires three months of staff time. Hire a consultant to do the literature review and prepare the paper including proposed experimental work. Developmental Research Idea

Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time): Contract consultant for the first phase ($15,000). Background and Discussion:

FRI work has primarily researched distillation as a fractionating technique. There are, however, other fractionating techniques. As energy costs continue to increase and equipment becomes more expensive, other separations methods which do not involve handing large quantities of vapor will become more competitive. This is only a first step towards investigating other separation techniques.

PROSPECTUS

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