Study of kinetics and hydrodynamics of aqueous two-phase systems: from lab to pilot scale

• Grant number: 17/02744-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal researcher: Jorge Pereira
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Martins Costa
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) are liquid-liquid extraction systems composed of two phases coexisting in equilibrium as a result of the dissolution in water of at least two pairs of solutes. The formation of two water-rich and immiscible phases, allows the creation of water-rich environment which differs in terms of physico-chemical properties, according to the most concentrated phase-forming component. Thus, the concentrated phase-forming compound can favor the partitioning of different types of biomolecules, depending on its biomolecule-component affinity. ATPS allows a suitable adjustment of certain extraction properties, allowing greater selectivity, high extraction yields, and purification levels for several biomolecules. Thus, aiming the use of these methodologies at an industrial level, the present project intends to study hydrodynamics and mass transfer mechanisms in ATPS composed of polymers, salts and/or ionic liquids. The objective of this work will be the characterization of the physical-chemical and thermodynamic properties of the coexisting phases in equilibria of different ATPS. In the second stage of this project, the determination of the critical hydrodynamic parameters to the phase separation will be carried out, and in the third phase the kinetic analysis of solute transfer will be performed (in this study, caffeine will be used as the model molecule). In the last stage of this study will be developed simulation and expansion models for pilot scale. (AU)