SOLID-LIQUID SEPARATION

Introduction

The solid-Liquid separation process involves methods that separate solids from liquids products and their relative properties from a mixture or a suspension. This process has several usages like the derivation of either solid or liquid from a mixture, which helps in the process of recovery of valuable products be it in the solid or liquid state. The output result as derived undergoes pre-treatment, concentration, and separation stages and post-treatment stage to get the designated result, which is further processed for further refinement. In the study, the solid-liquid separation methods will be elaborated on further. 

Solid-liquid separation

The Solid-Liquid separation process involves several processes that help in separating the solid particles from the liquid from a mixture. The process first begins with filtration that helps in the segregation of the larger particles in the initial stage. Furthermore, the particles are separated in a microscopic stage to remove smaller components still present in the mixture. The mixture thus further undergoes ultra-filtration; this process helps in the breakdown as a final stage of filtration. 

This mixture then undergoes reverse osmosis to separate the liquid from the solid as derived which then undergoes the process of electro-dialysis for a further breakdown as the end stage of the treatment which finally separates the solid products from the liquid. These extensive methods of separation are undertaken by industrial equipment under specific conditions of temperature, environment as required for the reversed osmosis, and a specific amount of pressure. Several other factors influence the separation of solid and liquid-like particle size and shape that is associated with the process of macroscopic methods of separation that deal with bigger solid products.

Separation of Solid form liquid solution

Solid products are separated from the liquid solution by the process of crystallisation. 

• Crystallisation resembles the process which enables atoms and molecules of a substance to form into a well-structured lattice in turn reducing the energy output.
• This process involves crystallising the solid particles as present in the liquid solution under specific conditions of an optimal temperature that affects the rate of crystallisation if the heat is increased beyond a specific temperature particles will evaporate and decompose. 
• Filtration is another process that does not involve the aspect of temperature and heating, although it is required to meet the demand of the extent of the solubility of the solvent in solute.

By the process of filtration, it is easier to derive solid particles from the liquid; however, a pure form of a solid is obtained from the process of crystallisation, hence Separation of Solid form liquid solution occurs, effectively.

Separating solid from liquid methods

Separating solid from the liquid can be performed by using four methods namely, evaporation, filtration, crystallisation, and sedimentation

• Evaporation: This process in the case of a homogenous mixture separates the solid from the liquid solution by putting the solution under a high temperature that enables the solid product as a solvent to evaporate and retain the solute that is the liquid.
• Filtration: Filtration is the process that enables the separation of smaller solid particles from the liquid by using filter paper or cloth. This process is applicable only in case the solute has not dissolved the solvent completely thus aiding in the process of separation using this method.
• Crystallisation: Under the specific condition of temperature and pressure the solid particles are heated up and formed into macro crystals of three-dimensional lattices that helps in separating solids from the liquid.
• Sedimentation: Sedimentation is the process of residual formation, this process is used to separate tiny solid particles to form a residue at the bottom of the container, distinctly separating them from the liquid solution.

Conclusion

Solid-liquid separation method thus derived from specific industrial processes and other labs oriented processes such as crystallisation, evaporation, filtration, and sedimentation helps in the process of getting two separate particles from a homogenous or the heterogeneous mixture. Solid, the solute and liquid acts as the solvent in a solution that helps us in deriving two different pure forms of products with their distinct attributes which are further put into use in different experiments or usages.