Simulation, scale-up and economics of adsorption and membrane based processes for isoflavones recovery

Laboratory scale adsorption and membrane based processes for the recovery of isoflavones from red clover flowers were reported earlier (Xu et al., 2005 and Xu et al., 2006). However, studies on scale-up and simulation for commercialization for both the methods have not been studied. In present study the economic feasibility of isoflavones recovery based on these two methods was investigated with a commercial bio-process simulator (SuperPro Designer®). Laboratory scale separation data from previously published work was used in the simulations. Preliminary simulation studies confirmed the requirement of effluent streams recycling in order to reduce the production costs. Different flowsheets incorporating solvent recovery and recycle operations were designed and simulated to compare the economics of operation. Modified adsorption and membrane based processes incorporating recycling of waste streams were found to be economically more attractive than that of respective standard processes reported in the literature. The membrane process with solvent recycling had the lowest production cost of US$618/kg for isoflavones supplement. The adsorption-recycle process was found to be more expensive at US$1116/kg, while it had a higher content of isoflavones.

Research highlights▶ Recovery with recycling required higher investment but the product cost was lower. ▶ Membrane-based process with solvent recycle had the lowest production cost. ▶ It was shown that by simulation schemes could quantify the anticipated gains.