FT29 Batch Solvent Extraction and Desolventising Unit

 

FT29 Batch Solvent Extraction and Desolventising Unit

The Armfield FT29 is a floor standing, self contained 25 litre batch process unit demonstrating a variety of solid/liquid extractions.

The unit is particularly suitable for “leaching” edible oils from oil-bearing seeds and desolventising both the extracted solids and the miscella.

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Description

All vessels, pipes, valves and fittings in contact with process materials are constructed in stainless steel as is the support framework.

The cylindrical extractor/desolventiser with a hinged lid for charging the extraction material, has a base inclined slightly toward a port for discharging the extracted and desolventised meal. Material is supported above the base by a perforated plate covered with a fine-woven mesh so solvent may drain through to the miscella tank while retaining the solids. The vessel base is equipped with an indirect steam chest for process heating.

Direct steam is injected at a variable rate through a distribution pipe positioned above the mesh. A similar distribution pipe positioned near the top of the vessel enables solvent to be sprayed uniformly onto the bed of material. The miscella tank, positioned directly below the extractor to collect the draining liquid, is also a cylindrical vessel incorporating a steam chest as its base.

This vessel also incorporates a direct steam-distribution pipe through which steam can be metered at a variable rate.

Vapour from the vessels, produced in the desolventising process, is directed by ducting to the solvent condenser, which is an inclined shell and tube unit through which water is circulated. Condensate (usually a mixture of solvent and water) drains into the solvent water separator tank, which enables thorough separation of the solvent and water by a gravity process.

(Note: Only hexane or solvents having a similar specific gravity can be effectively separated in this tank).

Solvent reclaimed from this vessel can then be recirculated by the solvent pump at a regulated rate through a variable area flow meter.

Excess water overflows to a waste water tank from where it can be disposed of on completion of the process. Operation at reduced system pressures are achieved by a PTFE diaphragm type vacuum pump. The outlet of this pump is piped through a flame arrester to a suitable ventilation point. Each vessel is equipped with suitable level/sight glasses so that the processes can be observed and monitored. Pressure and temperature gauges are supplied where necessary as are adequate sampling and drain valves. Hexane is the most widely used solvent in the extraction process and due to the flammable nature of this product, electrical equipment has been kept to a minimum.

Where electrical equipment must be used, it is specified to the appropriate standards for safety. The main processing vessels have been designed in accordance with the appropriate code of practice for welded pressure vessels.

Technical Specifications

Extractor vessel

Volume: 100 litres

Batch capacity: 25kg based on density of 560 kg/m³

Direct steam: 0-7 kg/h

Indirect steam: 0-3.5 bar

Miscella tank

Volume: 30 litres

Minimum extract: 2 litres

Direct steam: 0-4 kg/h

Indirect steam: 0-3.5 bar

Solvent condenser

Condensing capacity: 2.5kW

Condensing area: 2.5m²

Cooling medium: Water

Cooling water flow range: 0-22 l/m

Solvent water separator tank

Volume of separator section: 16 litres

Volume of solvent store: 16 litres

Waste water tank

Total volume: 15 litres

Vacuum pump

Type: Double PTFE diaphragm

Drive: Flameproof AC motor

Operating pressure: 100mbar (max)

Solvent pump

Type: Gear

Drive: Flameproof AC motor

Solvent flow range: 0-18 l/m with bypass  flow control

Features & Benefits

  • Self-contained system
  • Floor standing
  • Single extraction/desolventiser vessel
  • Solvent/water recovery tank
  • All flameproof construction
  • ATEX approved
  • Operation of small-scale version of industrial processes
  • A wide variety of solid/liquid extractions may be processed
  • Small quantities (25kg) can be processed
  • Low waste disposal rate

Key Industries

  • Biopharmaceutical and Biotechnology
  • Chemical
  • Cosmetics & Personal Care
  • Education & Academics
  • Food & Beverage
  • Oil & Gas
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Powders & Pigments / Coating

Downloads

  • Effect of changing degree of pretreatment of solid material on extraction efficiency
  • Effect of changing solvent type
  • Effect of changing solvent percolation rate
  • Effect of changing process temperature and pressure
  • Effect of changing extraction time and drain time
  • Method and degree of solvent recovery

Examples of extractions possible using the FT29

Extraction material               Extract                     Solvent

Oil seeds/presscakes            Edible oil                  Hexane

Tree bark                               Tannin                      Water

Solanium (agrass)                 Steroid                     Dil.suphuric acid

Pyrethrum flower                   Insecticide               Hexane

Tea leaves                             Tea                          Water

Wheat germ                           Oil                           Hexane

Rice bran                               Oil                           Hexane

Poppy Stalks                          Morphine                Water

Flowers/fruits                          Essential oils          Hexane

Liquorice roots                        Liquorice juice        Water

Extraction by recirculating miscella:

This involves priming the miscella tank with clean solvent then pumping the solvent to the extractor where it percolates through the material bed and drains as miscella back into the tank for recirculation.

Extraction by washing with clean solvent:

As miscella is formed, steam admitted to the miscella tank base causes solvent to evaporate. The vapour is condensed in the solvent condenser and returns to the separator tank from which it is pumped back to the extractor.

Desolventising extracted material:

When the extraction is complete, the static hold-up of solvent remaining in the material must be removed and this is achieved using a combination of direct and indirect steam and vacuum.

The solvent vaporises and is condensed along with the condensate. The mixture of solvent and water is separated in the solvent water separator tank. When the extracted material is free of solvent it is discharged through the door at the base of the extractor.

Desolventising miscella:

Miscella is a mixture of the solvent and oil from the extraction material, which accumulates in the miscella tank during the process. The solvent and oil are separated in a similar method as for material desolventising using a combination of direct and indirect steam and vacuum.

A higher level of vacuum is required than for material desolventising in order to produce solvent-free oil.

Within each mode of operation, many operating parameters such as process temperature, solvent temperature, solvent flow rate, direct steam flow rate and system pressure can be adjusted to enable a high degree of experimentation.

 

  • Electricity supply: Three phase (see ordering codes)
  • Water supply: For cooling 25 l/m @ 3 (min) -5 (max) bar pressure
  • Steam supply: 20 kg/hr @ 5 bar min pressure

Packed and crated shipping specifications

Volume: 5.8m³

Gross weight: 880kg

Length: 1.90m

Width: 0.90m

Height: 1.75m

  • FT29-C: 415V/3ph/50Hz, (0.6kW)
  • FT29-D: 208V/3ph/60Hz, (0.6kW)
  • FT29-E: 380V/3ph/50Hz, (0.6kW)
  • FT29-F: 220V/3ph/60Hz, (0.6kW)