(318b) Sfe Extraction of Squalene from Oil Residues

We present a dynamic simulation model for a countercurrent supercritical extraction column filled with structured gauze packing. The model incorporates a set of differential equations applied to mass and heat balances along the column, hydrodynamics of the process and thermodynamic equilibrium. The model accounts with axial dispersion both for the energy and mass transfers. This model has been applied to various binary mixtures (e.g. the fractionation of a binary mixture of methyl-oleate and squalene). Its validation has been made by carrying several experiments in our lab-scale apparatus. Also, disturbances on selected load variables and operation parameters were imposed and the dynamic response of the SFE unit was tracked and compared with the model dynamic response. Optimisation studies were also conducted either by trying to maximize the purity of the squalene in the raffinate phase or maximize the amount of squalene extracted from the mixture. These studies were made with the help of the Dynamic Optimization Module from gPROMS.

[1] Ruivo, R., Paiva, A., Mota, J.P.B., Simões, P., Dynamic model of a countercurrent packed column operating at high pressure conditions. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 32, 2004, 183. [2] Ruivo, Cebola, M. J., Simões, P., Nunes da Ponte, M., Fractionation of Edible Oil Model Mixtures by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in a Packed Column – Part I: Experimental Results, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., vol. 40(7), 2001, p. 1706 [3] Ruivo, Cebola, M. J., Simões, P., Nunes da Ponte, M., Fractionation of Edible Oil Model Mixtures by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in a Packed Column – Part II: A Mass Transfer Study, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., vol. 41, 2002, p. 2305