Optima has been involved in extraction unit operations since 1991. Within
the last 3 years, focus has been placed specifically on extraction of
Biomass materials. Projects range from Research / Process development on
Pilot Plant scale, commercial scale trials validating process performance,
and on going contract manufacturing. In fact, in 2003 Optima entered into a
long term manufacturing agreement with a major Nutritional products company
for extraction of yeast slurry. Over 11,000 gallons of reactor capacity was
commissioned to meet the extraction demands for this process. Some general
information of our capabilities is shown below:
1.
Extraction Technologies: Liquid - Liquid & Solid - Liquid
A.
Liquid – Liquid
i.
Continuous Karr columns
ii.
Continuous or Batch Centrifugation (Baker-Perkins Podbielniak)
B.
Solids – Liquid
i.
Batch Leaching – separation via Rosenmund Nutsche filters (1.6 m2 to 4.0 m2
surface area).
ii.
Continuous or Batch Centrifugation (Baker-Perkins Podbielniak)
2.
Biomass forms
A.
Yeast slurries
B.
Dried Biomass
3.
Extraction media
A.
Wide range of Solvents and Alcohols including:
i.
Heptane, Hexane, Toluene, THF, Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Alcohol, Isopropyl
Alcohol, Acetone, etc.
ii.
Aqueous
4.
Batch Extraction Sizes:
50 gallon Pilot Plant, 250 gallon Pilot Plant, and 1,000 to 5,000 gallon
commercial scale.
5.
Miscellaneous
A.
Fractional Distillation for Solvent recovery and re-use
B.
Variety of dryers available
C.
Manufacturing protocols follow GMP requirements and applicable
FDA guidelines (Pharmaceutical, Food, etc.)
