Cryo-Injection Separation of Polyenes From Monoenes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters from monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters in large-scale industrial processes is challenging due to the inefficiencies of existing methods like urea complexation and low-temperature crystallization, which often result in impure products with high residual polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cryo-injection of a mixed-lipid composition into ethanol, where the lipid blend is injected as microdroplets into supercooled ethanol, allowing for instantaneous crystallization and separation of monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters from polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If low-temperature crystallization is used to separate monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters from polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters, then monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters can be precipitated and separated, but the separation efficiency is low and the product purity is insufficient with high residual polyunsaturated fatty acids
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from gradual cooling to ultra-low temperature (−70°C to −90°C) instantaneous cooling, which fundamentally alters the crystallization behavior and enables high-purity separation of monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters from polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters from liquid to solid crystal form at ultra-low temperatures, while polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters remain in liquid phase, enabling efficient separation through filtration
2Productivity
If conventional cooling methods are used in large-scale industrial processes, then monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters can be separated, but energy costs are high and lipids accumulate on cooling surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention pre-cools the ethanol solvent to ultra-low temperatures (−70°C to −90°C) before injection, and instantly cools the lipid blend upon contact, achieving rapid crystallization without prolonged exposure to cooling surfaces, thereby preventing lipid accumulation and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical cooling systems with a cryo-injection system using liquid ethanol at ultra-low temperatures, enabling instantaneous cooling and crystallization that is more energy-efficient and suitable for large-scale industrial processing
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 method achieves high purity separation of monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters, with products like pure palmitoleic acid being easily produced, while minimizing the accumulation of lipids on cooling surfaces and reducing energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for instantaneous crystallization and separation of monounsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters from polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters
Implementation Method 2
the lipid blend is injected as microdroplets into supercooled ethanol
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods for separating polyenes from monoenes as well as products produced by the methods, and in particular to methods that comprise cryo-injection of an alcohol into a mixed-lipid composition.