2004 Ontario Environmental Technology Award Goes To Eco-Tec
Supported by the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program and CME, the Canadian Innovation Awards encompass the development of new environmental improvements in equipment, products, processes and / or technology or the adoption of such technology.
Eco-Tec Inc. was pleased to present the development of its Acid Purification Unit (APU). The APU was developed to recover and recycle spent acids used in the production and treatment of metals. Huge tonnages of mineral acids including sulphuric, hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric and hydrofluoric are used in both the primary extraction of metals as well as their subsequent finishing and treatment. Early on, these acids were discharged directly to the environment, resulting in severe pollution of rivers and lakes. More recently, spent acids have been neutralized with alkalis such as caustic soda or lime. This method however, does not eliminate the impact on the environment and generates great quantities of solid waste. By employing an APU, more than 90% of the free acid values of a spent acid solution can typically be recovered for reuse. The patented technology provides a unique process for acid recovery and purification with no need for chemicals and almost no use of energy.
To date, more than 400 Eco-Tec systems have been installed in over 40 countries around the world. They have become the standard in several industries including aluminum anodizing and stainless steel pickling. Today, almost every new factory built for these operations incorporates an Eco-Tec system.