Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SCFE) Technology

Introduction

Worldwide, Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SCFE) is gaining importance over conventional processes in Chemical, Pharmaceutical and food processing industry. In the past, SCFE technology could not be extensively used commercially, due to very high premium charged by the foreign SCFE equipment suppliers, which affected the economic viability. But now IIT Bombay has developed World class SCFE technology in India, to make it efficient and cost effective. This technology, which is superior in al l respects and produces high quality extracts, is now made truly economically viable.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction Plant (M/s SAMI Labs, Bangalore) Thus use of conventional technologies like organic solvent extraction (using hexane or hydro flouro carbons etc.) or steam distillation may not be now appropriate for user industry. Adopting SCFE is need of the hour for gaining leadership in the growing world market of value added quality natural products.

Advantages:

Current global trends show a growing preference for products from natural sources. Also there is an increasing concern for safe, eco-friendly and pollution free manufacturing processes. SCFE technology provides a ready and total solution to these challenges. Its superiority of over the conventional technologies of extraction, especially for natural products in the food and pharmaceutical industry, is well recognized today, as it provides:

1. Superior Product:

• Un-degraded extracts with delicacy and freshness close to natural.
  
• High concentration of desired active components with No residual solvent.
  
• Longer shelf life and free of biological (microbial) contaminants.

2. Superior Process:

• Simultaneous fractionation of extract possible to get spice oil and oleoresin in a single step.
  
• Flexible operating conditions for multiple product extraction.
  
• Carbon Dioxide (C02) as solvent is Generally Regarded As safe (GRAS) for food products.

Commercial Applications:

SCFE is a highly versatile technology with a varied range of applications:

• Extraction of Natural Products such as Essential oils & Oleoresins, Flavours, Fragrances, Food Colours, Preservatives, Pesticides and Herbal Medicines etc.
  
• De-cholesterolisation of Food, De-caffeination of Tea/ Coffee, De-Nicotisation and Removal of Tar from Tobacco and Extraction of Hops
  
• Precision Cleaning of Electronic & Optical Components
  
• Production of Nano-Particles, Chemical Synthesis & Polymer Processing
  
• Processing and preservation of food products

Commercial Status:

Execute turnkey projects, in association with industrial partner company M/s. Deven Supercriticals Pvt. Ltd.

Six numbers of turnkey SCFE projects (value Rs. 6.09 crores) have been successfully completed by year 2005-2006. IIT Bombay has received license fee of Rs. 22.5 lakhs till year 2005-2006.

Presently five projects (value Rs. 9.95 crores) are in hand. Amount of applicable license fee for year 2006-2007 would be arrived at after completion of financial year 2006-2007.

Source: More details on web site : http://www.che.iitb.ac.in/SCFE