Filtration efficiency and the percolation phenomenon in a grooved-plate Separator

We present here the results of a study of the separation process in the extraction matrix of a novel high-intensity magnetic separator (HIMS). The matrix uses an ordered array of grooved plates (replacing conventional collectors, which are generally made of wires). Only experimental results are available for grooved plates in the literature, but here we propose a new theoretical approach. We report on the particles' behavior, the existence of a percolation phenomenon, and the filtration efficiency, in order to analyze and compare the performance of matrix structures (Lenoir's and Jones'). We discuss the causes of the percolation phenomenon and its effect on filtration efficiency. Correspondence between the theory and the experiments is good. We suggest appropriate uses of each matrix structure according to the property of the processed particles.     

Anaerobic biodecolorization of textile reactive anthraquinone and phthalocyanine dyebaths under hypersaline conditions.

The biological decolorization of two industrial, spent textile reactive dyebaths was investigated using a suspended-growth, halophilic mixed culture fed with glucose. Dyebath I contained mainly Reactive Blue 19 (RB19), an anthraquinone dye, whereas dyebath II contained mainly Reactive Blue 21 (RB21), a phthalocyanine dye. Batch assays under anaerobic conditions with the two neutralized dyebaths resulted in 87 and 37% extent of decolorization for dyebaths I and II, respectively. The rate of glucose utilization and the extent of acetate production were impacted in the presence of each dyebath as compared to the control culture. However, dyebath decolorization occurred despite moderate culture inhibition. Reuse of a biologically renovated RB19-containing dyebath in the dyeing process resulted in reproducible but not identical cotton fabric shades as compared to a standard dyeing (i.e., control) using fresh water. This difference is attributed to a variable degree of RB19 aggregation during the dyeing process and is not related to the efficiency of the biodecolorization process. Further improvement of the redyeing efficiency will lead to the development of an in-plant, closed-loop decolorization system resulting in significant water conservation and minimization of textile pollutants such as salt and dyes.