PROJECT DESCRIPTION

On behalf of a biotech Company active on micro-algae fermentation technology, Processium designed and developed a separation and purification process for a molecule of interest dedicated to nutraceutical markets.

This process shall be sufficient to meet very strict purity specifications (purity>99%) while minimizing CAPEX and OPEX.

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES

The technical challenges of this project were:

• The targeted molecule is in intra cellular into the micro-algae.
• Thermal sensitivity of the targeted molecule.
• Specific behavior of micro-algae during collecting: high viscosity of concentrated micro-algae.

OUR METHODOLOGY

Processium carried out this study starting from the definition of project specifications to the design corresponding process:

• Definition of specifications.
• Full study of technological solutions for the different steps of the process:
  • Collection of micro-algae.
  • Biomass drying process.
  • Micro-algae cells lysis.
  • Purification of the product of interest.
• Two processes complying with the above specifications and not covered by a patent were selected.
• Designed of two industrial processes and comparative economic study.

RESULTS

T0: Our team starts working on the project.

T0 + 4 months: Design of two processes that our client used as reference for the industrialization of the final process.

T0 + 5 months: Issue sizing and cost estimating of processes for the selection of the final process.

T0 + 9 months: Validation of the selected process in our labs.