Continuous Separation of Solids, Liquids and Gases Using Membranes

该项目将在新的实验室规模的设备中评估不同类型的现有膜(聚合物、陶瓷、选择性等)，以实现反应组分的连续分离。重要的是，使用的方法将是可扩展的，实验室数据将用于支持这一点。总体目标是探索和了解多相连续流动调整的选项和设计，并将其与连续反应相结合，特别是支持新的自动优化方法。其目标是开发用于以下方面的方法：(I)(半)连续地将固体与浆料分离，以便进行分析并实现工艺自动优化；(Ii)将反应溶剂交换为另一种反应溶剂，以促进工作或反应伸缩。对于所需固体的分离，这可能涉及在线过滤器和开关系统，以重新溶解和分析例如纯度和浓度(数量)、微型离心机或浮选系统。溶剂转换可以通过高比表面积到体积的方法来实现，例如微泡强化蒸馏或薄膜汽化结合气体选择膜来回收、循环和避免VOCs。该项目解决了分离和自动化的重要制造问题，旨在提高制药生产效率并最大限度地减少浪费，以提高可持续性。这项研究涉及制造未来和数字经济主题，并支持负责任的创新。

This project will evaluate existing membranes of different types (polymeric, ceramic, selective etc) within new lab-scale devices to realise the continuous separation of reaction components. Importantly, the methods used will be scalable and the lab-data will be used to support this. The overall aim is to explore and understand options and designs for multi-phase continuous flow work-up and to integrate these with continuous reactions, specifically to support new auto-optimisation methodology. The objectives are to develop methodology for: (i) the (semi-)continuous separation of solids from slurries to allow analysis and enable process auto-optimisation, (ii) the swapping of reaction solvent for another to facilitate work-up or reaction telescoping. For the separation of desired solids this could involve in-line filters and switching systems to redissolve and analyse for example purity and concentration (quantity), micro-centrifugal or flotation systems. Solvent switching might be achieved by high surface-area to volume methods such as microbubble enhanced distillation or thin film vaporisation combined with gas selective membranes to recover-recycle and avoid VOCs. The project addresses important manufacturing issues of separations and automation aiming to improve pharma production efficiency and minimise waste to improve sustainability. The research addresses the Manufacturing the Future and Digital Economy Themes and supports Responsible Innovation.