Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SCFE) Technology for Agro-Product's Extracts

Introduction

Extracts from agro-products like spices, herbs, aromatic plants, and medicinal plants are used for various end use applications such as cosmetics, flavours, medicines, perfumes, etc. Presently used extraction methods like Solvent Extraction have number of disadvantages like lower efficiency, lower yield, lower purity of product, longer processing time, etc. In order to overcome these limitations the Super-Critical Fluid Extraction (SCFE) technology has been developed. This development is a joint effort of a team of professionals from different department such as the Department/ Center for Rural Development & Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering all from Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.

Super-Critical Fluid Extraction (SCFE) is a two-step process which uses a dense gas e.g. carbon dioxide (CO₂), as a solvent fro extraction, above its critical temperature (31 deg C) and critical pressure (74 bar). The feed generally ground solid is charged in to the extraction vessel. CO₂ is fed to the extraction vessel through a high-pressure pump (100 to 500 bar). The extract rich CO₂ is then sent to a separation vessel, which is maintained at reduced pressure and temperature conditions, the extract precipitates out in the separation vessel. The extract free CO₂ stream, leaving the separation vessel is then recycled back to the extraction vessel till the end of the batch. Most of the equipments used have been designed and constructed by using indigenous capability to the extent possible. The net result is that the SCFE facilities are available at a much lower cost than the imported equivalents.

Special Features:

Product is superior in quality; Higher Yield; Extracts with delicacy and freshness close to natural; No residual solvent; High potency of active components; Free of biological contaminants Longer shelf life; Ability to fractionate extract in single step; Flexibility to extract multiple products by changing operating conditions; Carbon-di-Oxide as solvent: safe for natural products.

Prospective Users:

Manufacturers of Spice oils and oleoresins; Essential oils: flavors and fragrances; Herbal medicines; Food colours and preservatives Vitamin E (tocopherols); Cholesterol free food products; Decaffeinated coffee and tea; Natural pesticides

Keywords: Extraction, Critical, Oleoresins, Carbon-di-Oxide

Type of Technology: Design/Process

Status of IPR Protection: Copyright No. FT/05/044/98

Status of Development:

Development carried out in a laboratory and pilot plant having of 500 ml and 10 litres capacity reaction vessels respectively. Designs for 1 mt/day SCFE plant were given to 2 parties at U.P. and Chand

Services offered by Technology Transfer:

• Knowhow document describing the process, raw material requirement, process parameters, quality contr
  
• Plant & Equipment design; Feasibility and project reports; Consultancy services relating to technolo
  
• Supply of SCFE Plants on a Turnkey basis; Process and Product Development; Project Feasibility Analy
  
• Selection / Choice of Viable Products; Selection of Optimum Plant Configuration; Trouble shooting an

For further information please contact :

The Director
Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Tel : 91-011-26597167, 26857762, 26581013
Fax : 91-011-26851169
E-mail : mdfitt@gmail.com