Novasep Adsorption Technologies

Purification Processes

Novasep has been supplying the food and bio-industries with adsorption units for many years.

Adsorption is a key process for the extraction of impurities on valuable chemicals. The adsorbents can be from various origins (synthetic polymers or carbonaceous material). They are commonly used to decolorize sugar solution or to recover antibiotics, plant extracts, proteins...

Definition of adsorption in the glossary.

Adsorption Mechanism

There are several mechanisms which cause adsorption: we can list Van der Waals forces, steric interaction, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobicity and polarity. Since the solution to be treated contains a mixture of organics with different properties, the adsorption process is a combination of these mechanisms. Color removal with ion exchange resins is also a combination of ion exchange and adsorption. In fact, the main mechanism is adsorption rather ion exchange.

VAN DER WAALS bonding (Attraction between aromatic rings)

Regeneration of Adsorbents

There are two recognized methods for the reactivation of GAC:  volatilization of adsorbed contaminants with steam or hot inert gas; or polymeric adsorbents which are usually regenerated with a combination of chemicals (NaOH, HCl or solvents). Spent activated carbon rejuvenation is incomplete and losses are faced. Sometimes the spent activated carbon is disposed of.

Example of an UPFLOW decolorization process (Production & regeneration)

Adsorption Applications

Novasep has been using adsorbent media in numerous applications sometimes combining both activated carbon and polymeric adsorbents in order to meet the most stringent customer specifications.

The main driver of this technology is the production of a final product with very stable organoleptic properties in terms of color, taste and odor.

Novasep has supplied the industry with complete units, designing the whole process for the industrial biotech, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Typical applications are:

• decolorization of cane refinery syrups,
• polishing of sweeteners and polyols juices,
• production of liquid sugar,
• recovery of flavonoids, plant extracts, colorants, aroma,
• recovery of antibiotics,
• recovery of proteins,
• fruit juice debittering,
• and more...

Novasep Adsorption Systems

Novasep has solid experience in adsorption processes and supplies the food and bio-industries with adsorption units for applications such as:  decolorization of cane sugar juices; polishing units of liquid sugar, sweeteners and polyols; recovery of plant extracts and colorants; as well as recovery of antibiotics.

Download our brochures for synthetic and biomolecules.

Contact us  for any synthetic and biomolecules request.