Enzymatic processing plant and method of enzymatic processing
AssigneeAlkymar AS
InventorsOlav Asle DJUPEVÅG, Torstein FRANTZEN
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Abstract
An enzymatic processing plant for continuous flow-based enzymatic processing of organic molecules, comprises an enzymatic processing area, wherein the enzymatic processing area comprises a turbulence-generating pipe with a repeatedly changing centre-line and/or a repeatedly changing cross-section, for generating turbulence to mix a reaction mixture and prevent sedimentation of particles as the reaction mixture is flowing through the turbulence-generating pipe, and wherein the enzymatic processing plant and the enzymatic processing area are arranged such that the reaction mixture is subjected to turbulence within the enzymatic processing area for a reaction time of 15 minutes or more.
Claims45
An enzymatic processing plant for continuous flow-based enzymatic processing of organic molecules, comprising an enzymatic processing area, wherein the enzymatic processing area comprises a turbulence-generating pipe with a repeatedly changing centre-line and/or a repeatedly changing cross-section, for generating turbulence to mix a reaction mixture and prevent sedimentation of particles as the reaction mixture is flowing through the turbulence-generating pipe, and wherein the enzymatic processing plant and the enzymatic processing area are arranged such that the reaction mixture is subjected to turbulence within the enzymatic processing area for a reaction time of 15 minutes or more.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the turbulence-generating pipe is a corrugated pipe.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the turbulence-generating pipe comprises a number of notional repeating units, wherein the number of repeating units is greater than 10, more preferably greater than 20, and most preferably greater than 50.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plant is arranged to operate with the reaction mixture having a flow velocity of less than 2 m/s through the turbulence generating pipe, optionally less than 1 m/s and optionally less than 0.5 m/s.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the enzymatic processing area includes one or more turbulence generating pipe(s) with a total length of at least at least 50 m, optionally at least 100 m.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the turbulence-generating pipe has an average diameter in the range of 20 mm to 200 mm, and preferably in the range of 40 mm to 100 mm, most preferably in the range of 50 mm to 90 mm.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flow of the reaction mixture within the turbulence-generating pipe is turbulent at Reynolds numbers of less than 1000, more preferably at Reynolds numbers of less than 800, and most preferably at Reynolds numbers of less than 600.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the turbulence generating pipe includes a layer of immobilised enzymes attached to the inner surface of the pipe.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising an injection point for introducing reagents which change the characteristics of the reaction mixture, preferably wherein the reagent is an acid, a base or water.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a heat exchanger for heating at least a portion of the turbulence-generating pipe.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a separator system, preferably wherein the separator system comprises a three-phase decanter operable to output a flow of oil and oil-soluble components, a flow of water-soluble components, and a flow of sediment, and/or a centrifuges and/or a filter.
A plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plant is a modular system.
A ship fitted with the plant of any preceding claim.
A method of enzymatic processing of organic molecules comprising passing a reaction mixture through a first enzymatic processing area comprising a turbulence-generating pipe, the turbulence-generating pipe having a repeatedly changing centre-line and/or a repeatedly changing cross-section, the turbulence generated by the turbulence-generating pipe being used to mix the reaction mixture and to prevent sedimentation of particles as the mixture is flowing through the turbulence generating pipe, wherein the reaction mixture is subjected to turbulence within the enzymatic processing area for a reaction time of 15 minutes or more.
A method of manufacturing a modular enzymatic processing plant for enzymatic processing of a reaction mixture, the method comprising determining a required enzymatic processing process and manufacturing a suitable enzymatic processing plant from a kit of modular parts by providing:
- a pump for pumping the reaction mixture through the enzymatic processing plant;
- a first enzymatic processing area for performing a first stage of enzymatic processing;
- a separator system comprising a decanter for separating a flow of water soluble components, oil-soluble components and solid components;
- the method further comprising:
- considering whether or not each of the following components are necessary for a processing plant capable of performing the required enzymatic processing process:
- a filter;
- a second enzymatic processing stage;
- a third enzymatic processing stage;
- a post-separator system stage;
- a flow division stage;
- and a flow combining stage;
- and,
- including the necessary components in the modular plant.
A kit of parts for making an enzymatic processing plant for enzymatic processing of organic compounds in a reaction mixture, the kit of parts comprising:
- a pump for pumping the reaction mixture through the enzymatic processing plant;
- a first enzymatic processing area for performing a first stage of enzymatic processing;
- and a separator system comprising a decanter for separating a flow of water soluble components, oil-soluble components and solid components;
- and
- the kit of parts further comprising one or more of:
- a filter;
- a second enzymatic processing stage;
- a third enzymatic processing stage;
- a flow division stage;
- a flow combining stage;
- an injection point;
- a mixing chamber;
- a polisher;
- and a drier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.