Counter-Current Solid-Liquid Extraction with Microwave Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current countercurrent solid-liquid extraction processes are limited in their ability to efficiently extract multiple active ingredients from biological materials using aggressive solvents, and they often require high solvent quantities, which can be costly and environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a process with two separate solvent circulation circuits and an additional drying step between extractions, combined with microwave bombardment and ultrasonic vibration, to enhance extraction efficiency and reduce solvent aggression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single continuous solid/liquid extraction process is used, then the extraction of multiple active ingredients can be performed, but aggressive solvents must be used and large solvent quantities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process is divided into multiple discrete stages, each with its own solvent circulation circuit. The first circuit uses a first solvent for the first extraction, and the second circuit uses a second solvent for the second extraction. This segmentation allows each solvent to be optimized for specific target compounds, reducing the need for aggressive solvents while maintaining extraction effectiveness for multiple active ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
A drying step is implemented between the first and second extraction stages to remove the first solvent from the biological material. This preliminary removal of the first solvent prevents solvent interference in the second extraction and reduces the total solvent quantity required, while still allowing sequential extraction of different active ingredients.
2Productivity
If large quantities of solvent are used for continuous extraction, then extraction efficiency is maintained, but solvent recovery costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the extraction into separate stages with distinct solvent circuits, each solvent can be recovered and reused within its own circuit. This segmentation prevents solvent mixing and enables more efficient solvent recovery, reducing the total solvent quantity needed while maintaining extraction efficiency for multiple active ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying step between extraction stages serves to remove and recover the first solvent from the biological material before the second extraction. This recovery approach reduces solvent loss and decreases the quantity of fresh solvent required, thereby reducing recovery costs and environmental impact while maintaining productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple extraction stages are implemented with separate solvent circuits, then less aggressive solvents can be used, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both solvent circulation circuits utilize the same counter-current extraction mechanism and biological material conveyor system. This multi-functionality allows the basic extraction infrastructure to serve multiple purposes, reducing the overall device complexity despite having separate solvent circuits. The same mechanical structure handles both extraction stages, minimizing additional complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the successive extraction of multiple active agents from the same biological material using less aggressive solvents, maintaining industrial production yields and throughput while optimizing solvent recovery and extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
biological material is driven along a trough perforated by an Archimedean screw
Implementation Method 2
a step of bombarding the biological material with microwaves
Implementation Method 3
The solid/liquid extraction method further comprises a step of vibration by ultrasound
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a process for solid/liquid extraction of substances from biological material, in which: - biological material is conveyed along a trough perforated by an Archimedes screw, - the biological material is subjected to a first solid/liquid extraction by a solvent, the solute of which is recovered, - the biological material resulting from the first extraction is dried, - the dried biological material is subjected to a second solid/liquid extraction by a second solvent, the solute of which is recovered, and in which at least one step of solid/liquid extraction is a counter-current solid/liquid extraction, and in which the bombardment of the biological material by microwaves is carried out on the dried biological material between the first and second solid/liquid extraction. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the solid/liquid extraction process according to the invention.