Dehydrated Euphausia superba Oil Extraction via Subcritical Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting oil from Euphausia superba, such as traditional solvent extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction, are energy-intensive, lead to oxidation of active ingredients, and pose environmental risks due to high temperatures and solvent volatilization, while existing dehydration processes are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method combining low-temperature and low-oxygen heat pump dehydration with microwave-assisted frozen-blasting dehydration, followed by ultrasound-assisted subcritical fluid extraction, which reduces oxidation and energy consumption, and minimizes solvent residue by operating at lower temperatures and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional solvent extraction is used, then oil extraction efficiency is improved, but high temperature and incomplete desolvation occur causing oxidation of active ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction parameters by using supercritical CO2 at critical temperature and pressure (31.1°C and 73.8 atm), then rapidly reducing pressure to below the critical point for complete desolvation. This parameter change allows efficient extraction while avoiding the high temperatures that cause oxidation, as the low critical temperature of CO2 prevents thermal degradation of active ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of CO2 from supercritical fluid to gas by rapidly reducing pressure after extraction. This phase transition enables complete desolvation without high temperature heating, preventing oxidation of active ingredients while maintaining high extraction efficiency. The gas phase CO2 naturally evaporates completely, leaving no solvent residue.
2Productivity
If supercritical CO2 extraction is used, then complete desolvation and high extraction efficiency are achieved, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs CO2 as a universal solvent that can extract various types of oils and active ingredients from different marine organisms. The same supercritical extraction equipment can be used for different materials by simply changing parameters, making the complex equipment versatile and justifying its cost through multi-application capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses CO2's inert chemical properties to create an oxygen-free extraction environment that prevents oxidation of active ingredients. This inert atmosphere feature adds value to the extraction process, justifying the equipment complexity by providing protective functionality that simple mechanical systems cannot achieve.
3Reliability
If supercritical CO2 extraction is used, then complete desolvation is achieved, but high pressure creates security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rapidly skips through the high-pressure supercritical state by quickly reducing pressure to below the critical point after extraction. This rapid pressure reduction minimizes the time the system spends in the high-pressure state, reducing security risks while maintaining complete desolvation. The quick transition from supercritical to gas phase allows the system to safely vent CO2 without prolonged high-pressure exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the phase transition of CO2 from supercritical fluid to gas through pressure reduction. This phase change enables complete desolvation while the resulting gas phase can be safely vented at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the persistent high-pressure security risks associated with maintaining supercritical conditions throughout the entire process.
4Productivity
If high temperature dehydration is used, then water removal efficiency is improved, but oxidation of active ingredients occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses freeze-drying (lyophilization) which involves phase transition of water from solid ice directly to vapor through sublimation under vacuum. This phase transition removes water efficiently without passing through the liquid phase at high temperatures, thereby preventing oxidation of active ingredients while achieving effective dehydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent conducts dehydration in a vacuum or inert atmosphere environment, replacing oxygen with nitrogen or operating under vacuum. This inert environment prevents oxidation of active ingredients during the dehydration process while maintaining efficient water removal through controlled phase transitions and reduced partial pressure of water.
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 effectively reduces the water content of Euphausia superba, preserves active ingredients, and enhances oil extraction efficiency with lower energy consumption and environmental impact, resulting in a higher yield of rich unsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids.
Implementation Method 1
low temperature and low oxygen heat pump dehydration
Implementation Method 2
microwave-assisted frozen-blasting dehydration
Implementation Method 3
generate a 'vacuolar effect' in the extraction system
Implementation Method 4
ultrasound-assisted subcritical fluid extraction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for oil extraction from dehydrated Euphausia superbas, which is related to the field of food biotechnology. The method combines a low temperature and low oxygen heat pump dehydration system with a microwave-assisted frozen-blasting dehydration system for Euphausia superba dehydration, resulting in formation of a large number of micro porous structures in dehydrated Euphausia superbas that is good for subsequent oil extraction. The dehydration and extraction process can be separated in the present invention. The low temperature and low oxygen heat pump dehydration system may be installed in shrimp boats to dehydrate Euphausia superbas before transportation so as to increase the effective payloads of shrimp boats. The extraction process of subcritical fluid assisted with ultrasonic operation is carried out under low temperature and low oxygen conditions, therefore the oxidation of active ingredients is avoided to a large extent. Compared with existing methods, the present invention not only possess excellent dehydration efficiency but also uses less time and energy.