Projects / Programmes
Extraction Processes and Product Design
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2018
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T350 |
Technological sciences |
Chemical technology and engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.04 |
Engineering and Technology |
Chemical engineering
|
Supercritical fluid technology, nanostructured materials, separation of bioactive compounds, biocatalysis, product formulation, geothermal energy.
Researchers (36)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
SCF technologies enable the production of compounds with properties which are difficult or almost impossible to achieve with conventional methods, such as milling, crystallization, spray drying or agglomeration. The generation of micro- and nanoparticles of pure compounds and the identification of the mechanisms of particle formation was the main topic of different researches in the past decade. Use of SCF also enable production of composites (structured particles), for which extra dosage and mixing steps for composite substances need to added to the process.
In the past years product formulation (product engineering) is becoming an important factor for achieving economic success in process industry. The product price on the market is not the only important factor but also the total added value for the consumer, which can be added to a product in multiple ways. Product formulation is concerned with adding the value by improving quality and performance of products from process industry. Product formulation is particularly important in manufacturing and processing of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In general, product formulation is the key factor in all industries, where products with low active ingredient content are produced.
The use of pure enzymes or cells, in aqueous or organic media, in order to catalyse specific organic reactions, biotransformations, has emerged in recent years. In the last decade the knowledge of biocatalysis in supercritical fluids was undergoing rapid development. The importance of this field is that biocatalysis based industrial chemical processes will be more economic, ecological and safe than the existing conventional methods.
Significance for science
Exploiting the unique properties of SCF (transport properties, solvent power etc.) will increase the industrial competitiveness of Slovenia and will bring both environmental and economic benefits to Slovenia and wider to European Community. Technologies developed by the use of SCF are viewed as one of the key sustainable technologies with almost no impact on the environment.
Different activity fields included in the program together with cooperation between partners from science and economy sector will enable:
- Definition of requirements of pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry for products and their properties (type, shape, content of active ingredient, controlled release time),
- Development by means of SCF of new products with high added value, which are not obtainable with classical procedures,
- Development of new technologies in the field of SCF for sustainable economy growth of Slovenia,
- Obtaining products with tailor made properties, validation of technical procedures and analytical methods,
- Experiments at pilot-plant scale, transfer of technologies to industry,...
The results will be a significant contribution to fundamental knowledge in the following fields:
- binary and ternary phase equilibria in non-ideal systems with SCF,
- mass transfer in systems with SCF,
- high pressure micronisation processes – PGSS
- kinetics and equilibria of enzymatic reactions with SCF and enzyme activity at high pressures.
Significance for the country
The research program Separation processes will focus on top-level product quality and technologies, efficiently contributing to improvement of quality of life, which is also basis for sustainable development. It stimulates the mutual linkage of education, research and enterprise and improves the mobility of knowledge, ideas and people within society.
By means of active incorporation in the market and knowledge transfer, scientific and expert achievements, the research program improves the impact of research and development (R&D) in domestic environment and, with its research work, contributes to improvement of R&D quality and hence improvement of Slovenia’s economy development. The education of young researchers and the prevailing number of women in science and research in the field of chemical engineering, including high pressure technologies, as well as active incorporation and mobility in European intellectual and business sector, will strengthen human resources in R&D and economy and increase the gross domestic product.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
