Minifluidic extraction of Fish oil

1. The preliminary experiment is performed in Tygon minifluidic
channel.However, The tygon tubing currently used is also not
suitable for long-term use, softening over time with increased
exposure to fish oil esters (Biodiesel). This will necessitate a
transition to a more process-based plate & frame design constructed
of a suitable material. The minifluidic reactor is scaled up based on
Parallelization where by large number of identical minichannels are
involved.
The minifluidic channels is an alternative process intensification for
extraction of Omega 3 PUFA from fish oils. The process design and
scale up of the minifluidic extraction process is in development.
I would like to thank to my thesis supervisor Dr.Adam.A.
Donaldson, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, Dalhousie
University for giving the thesis project on Liquid –Liquid Extraction
in minichannels and I am very much grateful to him for guiding the
work and presentation for DEGS Graduate Research Fair 2014.
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Löwe,H., (2001) “Utilization of Micromixers for Extraction Processes”, Chem. Eng.
Technol. 24 :1.
2. Lembke,P., (2013) “Production Techniques for Omega3 Concentrates” Omega-6/3 Fatty
Acids: Functions, Sustainability Strategies and Perspectives, Edited by: F. De Meester et al.
(eds.), DOI 10.1007/978-1-62703-215-5_29, 353-364.
3. Ratnayake, WMN.; Olson, B.; Matthews, D.; Ackman, RG., (1988) “Preparation of omega-
3 PUFA concentrates from fi shoil via urea complexation”. Eur J Lipid Sci Tech.;
90(10):381–6.
4. Seike, Y.; Kamio, E.; Ono, T.; Yoshizawa, H., (2007) Extraction of ethyl ester of
polyunsaturated fatty acids by utilizing slug flow prepared by microreactor. J Chem Eng
Jpn. 2007;40:1076–1084.
Process Intensification of extraction of Omega 3 PUFA from
fish oil is needed to replace complex process for separation of
Omega 3 PUFA. Miniaturization is a method for process
intensification of extraction processes and the reduction of
characteristics process equipment dimensions in minichannel offers
a powerful tool for overcoming bottleneck in heat and mass transfer
and mixing. Moreover, the well-defined flow pattern and
temperature conditions in minifluidic systems result in an extremely
uniform processing environment. The extraction in minichannel
provides improved mixing which occurs between two immiscible
phase by convection and diffusion and it enhance interfacial area for
better mass transfer phenomena in the extraction. Moreover, the
large amount of solvent is required in the large size conventional
extractors where mixing performance is not effective. As a
consequence, mass transfer coefficient and extraction efficiency
were decreased. Minifluidic Channels (Diameter < 3mm) are an
approved tool for process intensification and are becoming effective
platforms for liquid –liquid mass transfer and provide large surface
to volume ratio and short mass transfer distance and least residence
time. This work explores preliminary data for practical extraction
yields and concentration data are determined for a 1.58mm ID mini-
channel, and compared to available results from idealized systems.
As a consequence, the yield of Omega 3 PUFA is satisfactory in the
minichannel compared with extraction in batch stirred tank reactor.
Process Intensification of Liquid – Liquid Extraction by Mini-Fluidic Channel
Kirubanandan Shanmugam
Supervisor -Dr. Adam.A.Donaldson
MASc - Chemical Engineering Programme, Process Engineering and Applied Science
Dalhousie University, 1459 Oxford St., Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H 4R2
Abstract Experimental Method
Extraction Yield from Batch CSTR (Volume 65 ml)
Conclusion
Reference
Acknowledgement
Results - Extraction Yield from minichannel
Kinetics steps -
(a) Diffusion of DHA-et from Organic Phase (Fish Oil esters) to
the interface across the organic film
(b) Complex formation between DHA –et and Silver ion
at the interface
(c) Diffusion of the extracted complex from the interface
to the aqueous bulk phase across the aqueous film.
Miniaturization of Liquid- Liquid Extraction Process
Advantages of Mini -fluidics
Higher mass Transfer and Heat Transfer
High Surface volume ratio
Can be operated at high pressure
Less Solvent requirement
• Inability to condition the drop size precisely and the non
uniformities that results because of the complexities of the
underlying hydrodynamics and complex hydrodynamics.
• As consequence, it affects optimal performance.
• Solvent Inventory is the main problem in conventional reactor
• In large size conventional industrial extractors, large amount of
solvent is required.
• Less solvent is required in minichannels
Experimental Investigation
Reaction Kinetics
Experimental System in Development
Limitations of Conventional Contactors
Manual Sample
Extraction and
Preparation
Minifluidic Platform
Interfacial Tension Studies