Technology scan
PGMrecovery methods reviewed
Start with the known
The first round showcased technologies commonly used for platinum group metal recovery.
Case Study · Technology Scouting
New ways to separate rhodium and iridium.
A global metals refiner wanted better ways to recover rhodium and iridium from its process solutions. We scouted reagents, membranes and other technologies from industry, patents and academia, then assessed the best.
The Client
The client is a global metals refining company. It wanted new solvents, reagents, membranes or other technologies to split rhodium and iridium from its solutions.
The Challenge
Two precious metals.
Split them apart.
Prescouter was asked to find reagents, technologies and membranes from patents, academia and industry that could separate iridium and rhodium from the client’s multi-metal process solution.
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Reagents
Solvents and reagents
Chemistry that targets each metal.
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Membranes
Membrane separation
Physical routes to split the metals.
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Sources
Industry and academia
Patents, labs and commercial players.
Our Approach
Narrowing options round by round with experts and outreach.
Expert outreach
Expertsconsulted on industry use
Ask who uses what
Experts named technologies used in industry while outreach deepened the most promising options.
Deep dive
5top technologies assessed
Focus on iridium
Later rounds focused on iridium technologies, with the client choosing several for a deeper dive.
The Outcome
From a long list to two vendor meetings.
Prescouter delivered a summary report assessing all technologies found and ranked the top 5. Prescouter also arranged meetings with 2 prospective vendors to discuss next steps.
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Ranking
Top 5 technologies
Assessed in a summary report.
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Samples
Clear next steps
Options ready to test.
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Vendors
2 vendor meetings
To discuss next steps.
Hard separations rarely have a single answer. Combining academic, patent and industry leads gives more paths to test.
Let’s Talk
Which technology could refine your process?
Scout the options, test the leaders and meet the right vendors. Wherever you’re starting from, we’ll help you get there.
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