Liquid-liquid centrifugal processes for intensified reactions and purifications – xPC

The first task of the project is a scientific one dedicated to the characterization and the modelling of the CPC process. Hydrodynamics and the 2 liquid phases contacting are studied first, mainly by visualisation. Then, the behavior of tracers will be modelized. Chemical aspects and complex interfacial phenomenon are also studied.
The next steps are application developments. Previous results are implemented for simulation of new process paths.
By combining Chemical Engineering and molecular chemistry approaches for industrial applications developments , the project includes the scale-up and the techno-economical evaluation.

After 6 months, the project has acquired all the experimental and management tools.
The first results on hydrodynamics and CPC modelling as a reactor are expected during the next semester. The purification of alcaloids by displacement chromatography is currently studied.

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The goal of the xPc research program is to scientifically and technically evaluate the capacity of a multicellular liquid-liquid centrifuge technique to intensify both reaction conditions and extraction/purification methods.
Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) is a separation technique made up of a series of interlinked cells disposed in a rotor. A first liquid phase is held stationary in the individual cells through the application of a centrifugal force. A second liquid phase can then be pumped through the cells in a continuous manner. This purification method has been principally developed in the field of natural product chemistry. Nevertheless, certain characteristics such as the absence of solid support, hydrodynamics, and a continuous function mode makes this technique well suited to the development of new applications, notably in areas where solvent use and raw material is restricted.
This can also be applied to process development which is equally limited in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to the rising cost of raw materials, catalysts, and the complexity of certain products (natural oils and extracts). These constraints could be reduced by the development of new and more efficient processes.
The first phase of this program is dedicated to technical research e.g. characterization and modelization. Methodology, aimed at industrial applications in the areas of enzyme catalysis and purification of natural products in the displacement mode, will then be developed. This phase, in terms of know-how, simulation and methodology, will help in the overall technical development including design optimization, scale changes, and technological and economical analyses.
This project involves 3 public research groups and 2 private industries. The Chemical Engineering-Environment and Agri-food laboratory, UMR 6144, has over 15 years of experience in hydrodynamics and CPC transfer as well as in the improvement and design of CPC instruments. The Molecular Chemistry Institute of Reims (ICMR) is a research group at the forefront of methodology dedicated to the purification of natural products which use CPC in the displacement mode. The Chemical Engineering laboratory, UMR 5503, has a solid background in the area of liquid-liquid processes, extrapolation, and reactor intensification. Pierre Fabre develops, produces and commercializes medicine in many pharmaceutical areas, notably cancer research for over 30 years. The Rousselet-Robatel-Kromaton industry is a specialist in centrifugal processes and manufacturing of CPC instruments from laboratory to pilot plant scale.
Bringing together these well known groups in a concerted research effort is strength of this research proposal. Our goal is not only to achieve and finalize this ambitious project, but to favor scientific exchanges between researchers with different backgrounds and scientific cultures in order to encourage innovation in an interdisciplinary manner. The presence of an end user and an instrument developer increases the technological coherence of the overall project (construction, mechanic constraints, cost, security, extrapolation) as well as the industrial coherence (insertion in process chain, separation and reaction performance). In the call for projects “Durable Chemistry and Innovation” the xPC project is in the “Efficient Process and Reaction” category. The goal of the xPC program is the modelization and development of technical applications and is thus an industrial research project.