Smart technologies for a greener industry

As new industries and challenges emerge, it is fortunate that we, with our long experience of supplying demanding applications, can adapt solutions even when conditions change.

Examples of applications where we can help:

• Battery manufacturing
• CO2 capture and storage
• Energy storage of corrosive media
• Handling of biofuels

Battery manufacturing

In the manufacture of mainly cathode materials for batteries, the processes involve hot acids that are very corrosive. In the purification step, battery chemicals are dissolved in acids, which places great demands on the equipment. Handling of slurry and H₂SO₄ media causes both wear and corrosion problems. Recycling of batteries also presents challenges as all the contents of a battery need to be separated and refined. Instead of using high alloy steel, one can use plastic and/or plastic lined steel pipes and pumps. The advantages of plastics are longer life and usually better delivery times. The processes can also give rise to troublesome flue gases. Flue gases generated during purification or incineration preferably use fibreglass scrubber systems.

At Lyma Kemiteknik, we are happy to help with the entire flow chain for the corrosive media and offer a complete solution with pumps, valves, pipes, tanks, scrubbers and other equipment.

CO₂ capture and storage

Carbon capture equipment (CCS and CCU) is being tested around the world. By capturing carbon dioxide from a bioenergy plant, a negative carbon balance is obtained from the CHP plant. Lyma Kemiteknik can assist with handling amines for carbon capture and pumping liquid carbon dioxide for further transport.

Energy storage

Industry is also switching to renewable energy sources, and to maintain the power balance, energy needs to be stored for when it is actually needed. Today, exciting processes are being developed to store excess energy in molten media or chemical transitions. Some processes involve heating the appropriate medium, either liquid or solid materials. For liquids, challenges can arise in being able to pump them, regardless of the energy content of the medium, while a boiling medium can behave very differently from a supercooled medium.

For some solid processes, salt is often used as one of the components, as molten salt is not only hot but also highly corrosive and has special requirements for pumping and transport.

Handling of biofuels

In the process of phasing out fossil fuels, alternatives are being developed that are more environmentally friendly. However, some of these biofuels are corrosive at higher temperatures and therefore the pumps that handle these fuels need to be ATEX rated and fulfil the corrosion requirements. In addition, some biofuels need to be heated in order to reduce their viscosity and be pumped.

Lyma Kemiteknik has the right knowledge to help you choose the right pump type that meets safety, temperature and corrosion requirements.