Many chemical processes involve multiphase systems, such as liquid–liquid environments in nitration reactors and gas–liquid–solid systems for CO₂ absorption in alkaline mineral slurries. In such systems, surface chemistries and interfacial phenomena can play a critical role in governing mass and heat transfer, reaction kinetics, phase separation behaviour, and even rheological properties. Additionally, these phenomena dictate both the scalability of bench-scale systems to the commercial scale, and the performance of industrial-scaled processes.

At BC Research Inc., our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers brings a unique combination of expertise to tackle the most complex chemical systems. Through our know-how and comprehensive suite of analytical equipment, we have developed an interfacial science toolbox to support the design, testing, and scale-up of multiphase chemical processes, ensuring reliable and efficient operation across all scales. We have invested significant effort to develop the experimental equipment and testing infrastructure required to study aspects of surface chemistry and interfacial phenomena that arise in a wide range of multiphasic chemical systems.

Our team focuses on identifying and controlling the interfacial phenomena which govern chemical processes including: stimuli responsive phase changes and separations, surface wettability and multiphase compatibility, stability of colloidal systems and emulsions, settling, flocculation and precipitation of colloidal systems, emulsification and foaming, chemical resistance and compatibility of materials, chemical recovery and contaminant removal through tunable hydrophobicity, and process equipment fouling and scaling.