Design and simulation of a green chromate compound production process

Abstract

A green process for the production of chromate compounds from chromite ore was simulated using process simulation software. Firstly, the phase equilibria of the KOH-K2CrO4-H2O system were investigated to determine the feasible operating conditions for the separation of K2CrO4 from the KOH alkaline solution. The green process model of chromate production was developed and three cases with different concentrations of alkali solution were simulated based on several assumptions. The mass and energy balances in the three cases were simulated, showing that the energy consumption of the evaporation unit is the largest in the whole process. The simulation results provide important information for the implementation of this green chromate production process.