liquid separation research in South America

ProfessorJos Angel Sorrentino, Mechanical Separations Labora-tory, Central University of Venezuela, outlines the reasonsfor the establishment of this research facility, it current activities and its future plans to increase the solid~liquid separation knowledge base in both Venezuela and Latin America as a whole. Prior to the 1990s there was little or no solid-liquid separation and

of Academic Exchange (DAAD) and the Venezuelan National

solid handling research or teaching

Science & Technology Council

being carried out in Venezuelan universities. It reflected the fact

(CONICIT), helped to build up

Networks One of LSM-UCV's main priorities is to build a network of international research cooperation. In addition to the established

that Venezuela was a big oil-

the research facilities in solid/liquid separation at the

producer; therefore chemical engineering studies tended to focus

UCV. In October 1994 the German government donated a

on oil-related subjects. Industry was faced with a similar situation.

complete filtration testing system.

University, it has recently signed agreements with Cottbus University, Germany and Coimbra

This marked the establishment of the LSM-UCV.

University, Portugal. Informal relationships also exist with other

During the seventies mining and metallurgical applications such as iron

ore,

bauxite

and

gold

relationship

with

Karlsruhe

universities in Latin America,

Activities

Europe and in the USA. Efforts are also being directed towards establishing a Latin

processing developed as the main industries in Venezuela. The upshot of this was that personnel untrained

Relationships were also cultivated with Venezuelan industries.

in the fundamentals of solid-fluid dynamics were running the majority of solid/liquid separation

courses took place with the aim to improve the solid-liquid separation knowledge of industrial process

machines.

engineers.

In contrast to the USA and Europe, there are no manufacturers

Currently, two main projects are running at the LSM-UC'¢ The

of

first deals with the influence of particle size distribution on mechanical separation processes,

related to solid/liquid separation.

while the second looks at the control of solids and fluid invasion

In the six years since its creation

solid/liquid

separation

machinery in Venezuela. The solid/liquid separation field in Venezuela comprised of a few large and

many

small

users,

some

isolated university research and a large number of representatives from foreign companies. Therefore,

Between 1994-1996 three !ndustry

American solid/liquid separation regional network. The aim is to promote

the

exchange

of

American

industries

advice on

topics

The future

the German Research Society

of Particle Science and Technology, LSM-UCV is creating a place

(DFG)

where industrial and scientific

users interested in solid/liquid

Equipment is available for all methods of particle sizing, as well

separation could come together, led to the creation of the

as

for

cake

CONICET.

and

sediment

Mechanical Separations Laboratory of the Central University of Venezuela (LSM-UCV) in Caracas.

characterisation and is said to make the LMS-UCV the most well-equipped laboratory in solid

Creation An informal agreement between

liquid separation in Venezuela, and potentially Latin America. The laboratory also has a number of

Professor Stahl of the Institute of Mechanical Processes, Karlsruhe

small pilot machines, and is currently welcoming sponsors to

University, Germany and the Chemical Engineering School,

create

Venezuela, as well as financial support from the German Service

6

June 2 0 0 0

a commercial

training

centre for the operation and trouble-shooting of solid handling processes using small units.

comprises a main core of subjects covering the essentials of particulate systems including fluid dynamics, chemistry,

surface physical characterisation of

disperse systems, transport in porous systems and solid/liquid separation, and a group of related topics covering different aspects of fluid-particle technology and industries. An essential part of the programme will be the invited lecturers universities,

from who

different will give

Places for full-time students should

companies, which have research interests in the field of particle technology within Latin America.

the need to create a forum where researchers, manufacturers and

the

in

Latin

independent

expand further. Under the heading

and

Studies

be guaranteed by the establishment of scholarships, funded by

drilling activities. Both projects received financial support from

oil reservoir

Graduate

condensed courses of 3-4 weeks.

the LSM-UCV has grown significantly, and there are plans to

an

The

Particle Science and Technology

experiences and expertise, to help technology transfer and to offer

during

into

for Latin America in Particle Technology (CLAPARTEC).

CLAPARTEC will be a research centre where people from within Latin America, who are from a wide variety of fields, but are interested in particle systems can come together. The LMS-UCV is interested in

fields ranging from mining and

establishing

minerals to biotechnology, from food and beverages to fine

rammes

chemicals, from petrochemical to

oil and wastewater

cooperation

prog-

with well established

research centres and companies in the field of solid/liquid separation worldwide. For f u r t h e r information contact:

treatment, from solid-liquid separation to emulsions, from filter media to membrane technology

Professor ]os~ Angel Sorrentino, Mechanical Separations

can interact.

Laboratory, Apartado Postal

Two main programmes are being set-up as part of this

17.278, Caracas lO15-A,

initiative: Graduate

or +58 16 627 88 25; Fax: +58 2

Studies in

Particle Science and Technology, which will mainly provide Master of Science courses; and the Centre

Venezuela. Tel: +58 2 605 17 16 605 31 78; E-mail: [email protected], ucv. ve or sorren tinoj@excite, com

Filtration+Separation