Development and assessment of adsorptive hydrogel: Process engineering and economic considerations

Abstract This article addresses the production of an adsorbing hydrogel to be used for removal of heavy metals. A review of literature on hydrogel adsorption of heavy metals is highlighted. The adopted process is briefly described and typical adsorption results as compared to reported work are presented. The technical specifications of an industrial scale plant of appropriate capacity of 3000 ton/year are detailed. The total capital investment and the production cost have been estimated to be about $M 10.6 and 6.5, respectively. Financial analysis determined the effect of variation of selling price within the reported international range on financial indicators. Furthermore, analysis of the effect of variation by 10% increase/decrease of capital investment and annual operating cost has been also estimated. Indicators include net present value (NPV $M), internal rate of return (IRR%), and average simple return of return (Average. SRR%), which have been estimated as 24%, 18%, and 19%, respectively. The project proves to be techno‐economically viable under the estimated conditions for wider application.