Québec's chemical industry is extremely diversified. Whether your company specializes in biochemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biofood or another related field, it must satisfy a whole gamut of stringent requirements.

Hydro-Québec's consulting services can help you meet or exceed these requirements. Having contributed to the successful implementation of over 40 projects involving chemical applications, our experts are well positioned to understand your needs and expectations in the area of electrotechnologies and industrial processes and come up with effective solutions.

Main applications and potential benefits

Drying evaporation, dehydration, pasteurization and sterilization

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Induction Extremely precise, highly localized temperature for heating liquids and certain solids Electric resistance Heating system that's economical to buy and operate No combustion gases Easy to use More precise than conventional heating systems Current-conducting tube Suitable for heating pumpable fluids Precise temperature control High energy efficiency Compact equipment Microwave Inertia-free through-heating system for even heating of products in aqueous form or with high moisture content Little heat absorbed by ambient air Infrared (IR) Suitable for dehydration applications (heating of surfaces or thin layers) High speed; very good energy efficiency rating Suitable for controlled-atmosphere treatment Can also be used for focalized heating Can be easily adapted to work with existing equipment Ultraviolet (UV) Suitable for sterilization or surface treatment applications, or for treating thin materials Low specific consumption High processing speed Easily adapted to work with existing equipment

Separation Distillation, concentration, purification and regeneration

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Mechanical vapor compression (MVC) Suitable for concentrating solutions or separating liquid mixtures Highly efficient: coefficient of performance (COP) ranging between 5 and 80 (1 kWh of electricity can produce the equivalent of between 5 and 80 kWh of thermal energy.) Membrane filtration Suitable for separating the components of a compound according to weight, molecular size or chemical affinity Easy to control High energy efficiency Compact, modular equipment Electrolysis and electrodialysis Suitable for the in-plant manufacturing of value-added products such as chemical reagents Fewer steps involved Can be used to make high-purity products High energy efficiency Chemical reactions can be controlled by regulating the power or voltage supplied to the electrodes Electrolysis Particularly suitable for electrochemical reactions The rate and/or degree of oxidation or reduction of a compound can be increased or decreased as needed Electrodialysis Particularly suitable for the separation of ionic solutions, but can also be used for various chemical reactions Electroflotation Suitable for separating out solid-liquid and liquid-liquid phases Sludge can be recycled Extremely fine particles can be removed Modular equipment Easy to control

Heat recovery

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Heat pump Suitable for generating heat and cold simultaneously Highly efficient: COP ranging between 3 and 5 (1 kWh of electricity can produce the equivalent of between 3 and 5 kWh of thermal energy).