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Advanced Separation and Extraction Processes for Effective Resource Utilization
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Advanced Separation and Extraction Processes for Effective Resource Utilization

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 4934

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Sobhy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mining and Explosives Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Interests: mineral processing; solvent extraction; hydrometallurgy; flotation; waste recycling; leaching technologies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Separation and extraction technologies are pivotal for sustainable resource management, enabling the recovery of critical materials from complex streams while minimizing environmental footprints. This Special Issue addresses emerging challenges in resource efficiency across industries (e.g., mining, recycling, energy, and chemicals) by spotlighting innovative processes that enhance selectivity, scalability, and circularity. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: advanced techniques (physical separation, solvent extraction, hybrid processes), materials and design (functionalized reagents, green solvent, smart adsorbents), applications (critical metal recovery, wastewater valorization, biomass processing, plastic/pollutant remediation), sustainability (life-cycle assessment, energy optimization, zero-waste process integration), and modeling and AI (process simulation, machine learning for system optimization, and digital twins).

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Sobhy
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • separation processes
  • resource recovery
  • extraction technologies
  • sustainable engineering
  • process intensification
  • hydrometallurgy
  • waste valorization
  • circular economy
  • critical minerals

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1054 KB  
Article
Impact of Ethanol–Water Ratio on the Recovery of Major Biflavonoids from Ginkgo Leaves and Sarcotesta
by Barbara Medvedec and Dunja Šamec
Processes 2026, 14(2), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14020215 - 7 Jan 2026
Viewed by 397
Abstract
Biflavonoids, or flavonoid dimers, are characteristic phytochemicals of ginkgo associated with various biological activities, yet they remain far less studied than monomeric flavonoids. For their effective industrial application, optimization of extraction conditions is essential. This study investigated the effect of ethanol–water ratio (0, [...] Read more.
Biflavonoids, or flavonoid dimers, are characteristic phytochemicals of ginkgo associated with various biological activities, yet they remain far less studied than monomeric flavonoids. For their effective industrial application, optimization of extraction conditions is essential. This study investigated the effect of ethanol–water ratio (0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 96% ethanol) on the extraction efficiency of major ginkgo biflavonoids (amentoflavone, bilobetin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin, and sciadopitysin). Three ginkgo tissue types, green leaves, yellow leaves, and sarcotesta, previously reported to accumulate biflavonoids, were analyzed. Biflavonoids were quantified by HPLC-DAD, and total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were also determined. Biflavonoids were most abundant in yellow leaves, with sciadopitysin identified as the dominant compound. No biflavonoids were detected in water or 10% ethanol extracts, while 30% ethanol extracts contained detectable biflavonoids only in yellow leaves at low concentrations. For most biflavonoids, the highest concentrations were obtained using 70% and 96% ethanol. Considering comparable extraction efficiency and lower toxicity, 70% ethanol was identified as the most suitable solvent. These findings highlight the importance of tissue type and solvent composition for efficient biflavonoid extraction from ginkgo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Separation and Extraction Processes for Effective Resource Utilization)
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13 pages, 1443 KB  
Article
Effect of Energy Integration on the Applicability of Extractive Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation
by Peter Mizsey, Jonathan Wavomba Mtogo and Agnes Szanyi
Processes 2025, 13(12), 3989; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123989 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 580
Abstract
Extractive Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation (EHAD) is a highly efficient method for separating strongly non-ideal mixtures that exhibit azeotropy. EHAD employs an autoentrainer, typically water, which enables the separation of both ternary and quaternary azeotropic systems. A distinctive feature of EHAD is the relatively [...] Read more.
Extractive Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation (EHAD) is a highly efficient method for separating strongly non-ideal mixtures that exhibit azeotropy. EHAD employs an autoentrainer, typically water, which enables the separation of both ternary and quaternary azeotropic systems. A distinctive feature of EHAD is the relatively small temperature difference between the top and bottom of the distillation column. This unique thermal profile not only simplifies column operation but also creates opportunities for efficient energy integration strategies. This work investigates the impact of energy integration on the applicability and performance of EHAD. Specifically, the study evaluates process intensification through heat integration and heat pump coupling to reduce the overall energy demand of the process. Simulation results demonstrate that, with proper integration, the energy requirement of EHAD can be lowered to 30–40% of that of non-integrated operation. Furthermore, experimental measurements are used to validate the accuracy of the models, confirming the robustness of the proposed approach. The results highlight the capability of EHAD to achieve energy efficient separation of complex azeotropic mixtures. By combining separation principles with sustainable energy utilization, EHAD demonstrates strong potential for industrial applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Separation and Extraction Processes for Effective Resource Utilization)
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30 pages, 9285 KB  
Article
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Antioxidant Compounds from Pomegranate Peels and Simultaneous Machine Learning Optimization Study
by Martha Mantiniotou, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Konstantinos G. Liakos, Eleni Bozinou and Stavros I. Lalas
Processes 2025, 13(11), 3700; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113700 - 16 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 851
Abstract
The pomegranate, a widely consumed fruit, produces large quantities of waste, mainly from its peel. Pomegranate peels (PPs) contain high amounts of antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which can be isolated from them and used for the benefit of humans [...] Read more.
The pomegranate, a widely consumed fruit, produces large quantities of waste, mainly from its peel. Pomegranate peels (PPs) contain high amounts of antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which can be isolated from them and used for the benefit of humans and the environment. In the present work, a study of recovery of these compounds by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was carried out, whose parameters were optimized. The optimal results were a total polyphenol content of 195.55 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, total flavonoid content of 74.78 mg rutin equivalents/g, total anthocyanin content of 992.87 μg cyanidin 3-O-glucoside equivalents/g, and ascorbic acid content of 15.68 mg/g, while the antioxidant activity determined through ferric-reducing antioxidant power and DPPH assays was 2366.89 and 1755.17 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents/g, respectively. In parallel, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based framework was developed to model and predict antioxidant and phytochemical responses from UAE parameters. Six machine learning models were implemented on the experimental dataset, with the Random Forest (RF) regressor consistently achieving the best predictive accuracy. Partial dependence analysis revealed ethanol concentration as the dominant factor influencing outcomes, while ultrasonic power and extraction time exerted comparatively minor effects. Although dataset size limited model generalizability, the RF model reproduced experimental outcomes within experimental variability, underscoring its suitability for predictive extraction optimization. These findings demonstrate the complementary role of machine learning in accelerating antioxidant compound recovery research and its potential to guide future industrial-scale applications of AI-assisted extraction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Separation and Extraction Processes for Effective Resource Utilization)
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22 pages, 3781 KB  
Article
Selective Nickel Leaching and Preparation of Battery-Grade Nickel Carbonate from Copper-Rich Industrial Intermediate
by Janaka Jayamini Wijenayake, Michael S. Moats, Lloyd Masuzyo Mseteka and Lana Alagha
Processes 2025, 13(10), 3235; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103235 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1515
Abstract
The rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has driven a significant increase in nickel consumption, a critical element in EV battery production. An industrially viable hydrometallurgical process was developed for the selective recovery of nickel from a copper-rich industrial intermediate, containing approximately 70 [...] Read more.
The rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has driven a significant increase in nickel consumption, a critical element in EV battery production. An industrially viable hydrometallurgical process was developed for the selective recovery of nickel from a copper-rich industrial intermediate, containing approximately 70 wt.% Cu and 6 wt.% Ni, predominantly as sulfides alongside minor impurities. Approximately 90% of nickel was selectively extracted via single-stage atmospheric pressure leaching using HCl and H2O2 at 95 °C for 12 h, with the majority of copper retained in the leach residue, which can be utilized as a valuable feedstock for copper smelters. The selectivity of nickel over copper was analyzed in detail through corresponding Pourbaix diagrams, and an appropriate leaching mechanism was proposed. The leachate was subsequently purified through a sequence of cementation, selective precipitation, and solvent extraction steps to remove residual copper, iron, and cobalt, achieving an overall separation efficiency of 99% with nickel losses below 2%. In the final stage, nickel carbonate was precipitated with >99% purity using sodium carbonate, potentially suitable for battery applications. The optimal conditions at each stage were determined through batch-type laboratory-scale experiments, which may need to be verified by continuous pilot-scale testing in the future. This process offers dual advantages by meeting the growing nickel demand for battery applications while simultaneously providing additional copper feedstocks for smelters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Separation and Extraction Processes for Effective Resource Utilization)
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Review

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23 pages, 6843 KB  
Review
Injectivity, Potential Wettability Alteration, and Mineral Dissolution in Low-Salinity Waterflood Applications: The Role of Salinity, Surfactants, Polymers, Nanomaterials, and Mineral Dissolution
by Hemanta K. Sarma, Adedapo N. Awolayo, Saheed O. Olayiwola, Shasanowar H. Fakir and Ahmed F. Belhaj
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2636; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082636 - 20 Aug 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1182
Abstract
Waterflooding, a key method for secondary hydrocarbon recovery, has been employed since the early 20th century. Over time, the role of water chemistry and ions in recovery has been studied extensively. Low-salinity water (LSW) injection, a common technique since the 1930s, improves oil [...] Read more.
Waterflooding, a key method for secondary hydrocarbon recovery, has been employed since the early 20th century. Over time, the role of water chemistry and ions in recovery has been studied extensively. Low-salinity water (LSW) injection, a common technique since the 1930s, improves oil recovery by altering the wettability of reservoir rocks and reducing residual oil saturation. Recent developments emphasize the integration of LSW with various recovery methods such as CO2 injections, surfactants, alkali, polymers, and nanoparticles (NPs). This article offers a comprehensive perspective on how LSW injection is combined with these enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, with a focus on improving oil displacement and recovery efficiency. Surfactants enhance the effectiveness of LSW by lowering interfacial tension (IFT) and improving wettability, while ASP flooding helps reduce surfactant loss and promotes in situ soap formation. Polymer injections boost oil recovery by increasing fluid viscosity and improving sweep efficiency. Nevertheless, challenges such as fine migration and unstable flow persist, requiring additional optimization. The combination of LSW with nanoparticles has shown potential in modifying wettability, adjusting viscosity, and stabilizing emulsions through careful concentration management to prevent or reduce formation damage. Finally, building on discussions around the underlying mechanisms involved in improved oil recovery and the challenges associated with each approach, this article highlights their prospects for future research and field implementation. By combining LSW with advanced EOR techniques, the oil industry can improve recovery efficiency while addressing both environmental and operational challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Separation and Extraction Processes for Effective Resource Utilization)
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