Towards high resolution membrane‐based pharmaceutical separations. Issue 1 (13th June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vanneste, Johan; Ormerod, Dominic; Theys, Gert; Van Gool, Dennis; Van Camp, Bart; Darvishmanesh, Siavash; Van der Bruggen, Bart
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical technology & biotechnology. Volume 88:Issue 1(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 108
• Publication Date: 2012-06-13
• Subjects: membrane cascades -- diafiltration -- pharmaceuticals -- solvent resistant nanofiltration; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Technical -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Industries -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.3848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-2575

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In this work the possibility of using membrane cascades to carry out difficult pharmaceutical separations was explored. The effect of configuration on process yield, time and cost was studied for a challenging industrial separation: the separation of an intermediate I (MW 221 g mol −1 ) from an impurity, ethylene bromide (MW 188 g mol −1 ). RESULTS: All cascade configurations studied were capable of increasing the purity from a fairly low value, namely 26% to the 90% requirement. The results from the cascade modeling showed that the product yield effectively increased from 35.5% to 84.3% by adding two stages. From a cost analysis of a kilo scale plant it was derived that a two‐stage cascade with large area modules yielded the smallest total cost of € 515 082. A 7.0% decrease in cost of product loss or a 7.6% increase in membrane skid cost rendered a single stage economically optimal despite the low product yields. However, if at least six other separations with a comparable process time are carried out each year, then even three stages become economically optimal. CONCLUSION: High resolution separations are technically feasible with membrane cascades. The economic viability of membrane cascades increases dramatically with the cost of the product and the utilization of the equipment. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry