Dehydration of Critical Mixture using Membranes (DCM2)

Project period: 09/2016 - 09/2018

The University of Alberta patented Pressurized Gas eXpanded (PGX) Technology scaled up at Ceapro Inc can process highly viscous aqueous solutions or dispersions of biopolymers into dry fibrils, particles, aerogels and exfoliated nano-composites with features in the sub-micron and nano-scale range. The generated polymer matrices exhibit high porosities and large specific surface areas. PGX Technology is currently used to develop novel products ranging from nutraceuticals, aerogels, super-absorbents, catalysts, super-capacitors, nano-composites to advanced materials for 3D printing. The PGX Technology utilizes a mixture of food grade ethanol and carbon dioxide as the processing fluid. In order to fully develop PGX on a commercial scale, a solvent recycling module is required to dehydrate the PGX solvent mixture thereby minimizing carbon footprint and costs. This project aims to advance the commercialization of PGX Technology by developing novel membranes including high pressure housings. While the developed membrane technology will improve PGX it will also serve future biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.