Whether it is necessary to eliminate a malodorous compound or to extract molecules with high added value from an effluent, one have to do the selective separation of molecules at the lowest possible cost. Today, membrane contactors offer some very promising opportunities for application, and have also been the subject of a french company start-up named Ederna.

EDERNA DEVELOPED MEMBRANE CONTRACTORS

Membrane contactors are porous membranes whose only role is to stabilise an interface between two or more fluids. Different separation principles can be implemented within membrane contactors, mainly liquid-liquid, liquid-gas or liquid-gas-liquid separation. The structural properties of the membrane are an essential factor because this must offer the greatest porosity possible (and thus a large surface for exchange) while guaranteeing immobility of the interface.

The recovery of aromatic molecules of interest from water used during food industry processing has a dual advantage: valorisation of the extract (detergent, cosmetic) and deodorisation of the water so that it can be recycled.

From a technological point of view, separation in a highly dilute aqueous medium is a major constraint. Thanks to the use of a hollow fibre contactor (offering a large exchange surface but a small size), the scientists have been able to extract aromatic compounds from industrial processing water (water used to blanche cauliflower, condensate arising from the concentration of tomato purée, etc.). It has been possible to propose sizing of the operation as a function of the objective and to obtain an aromatic extract that is more than 5000 times more concentrated than the initial solution under treatment, with extraction yields higher than 90%. 

At the laboratory level, studies – mainly in partnership with commercial companies – are now being oriented towards the use of solvents that are environmentally “clean”, and even more resistant materials for the membrane. 

By participating in the training of numerous students, the INRA Research Unit contributes to disseminating its know-how. Thus, in July 2007, Fabrice Gascons Viladomat profited from the skills he had acquired during work on this thesis in the laboratory to set up a company: EDERNA. Its activities are based on providing support for the design of separation processes, benefits from considerable expertise in membrane contactor technology.

INNOVATIVE EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY

Ederna designs unique systems that integrate modules that are packed with porous microstructured hollow fibers. These cutting-edge packings lead to highly compact processes, that are cleaner and safer than conventional chemical processes. Ederna’s systems can be used either for the concentration or the extraction of high-added value molecules diluted in aqueous solutions, from lab scale to industrial scale. They are operated at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, which makes them especially powerfull for the purification of biomolecules or volatile compounds.

Ederna manufactures these innovative systems for the following worldwide markets :

• Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals,

• Liquid food products,

• Fine chemicals,

• Nutraceutics, cosmetics and cosmeceutics …


EVAPORATOR OSMOTIC TECHNOLOGY

Ederna just made a nice shot by creating the first evaporator osmotic laboratory. The device allows to concentrate biological media temperature and ambient pressure. “This discovery will facilitate purification environments. Until now, why they used other more polluting technologies, “said Fabrice Gascons . 

This discovery made by Fabrice Gascons Viladomat and two other colleagues would allow “not to degrade organic molecules” and therefore, insists the manager of the LLC Toulouse, “enabling better yields. Ederna uses a technology that is “based on hollow fiber contactors. This technology allows to connect two or more stages for conducting international transfers of material to purify the products. Concretely, they will selectively pass molecules from one phase to another. Ultimately, it helps to purify the environment. The company, which designs systems of reaction and separation industry, addresses the market for biotech pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or food. “The goal of Ederna is to replace conventional technologies by Ederna products.  Through the integration of technology called a “rupture”, the systems produced by Ederna are “more flexible, more economical and more environmentally friendly than conventional systems.

FINANCIALS

Ederna is working with the Midi-Pyrenees incubator . The company is expecting to double its workforce in the year (from 3 to 6 employees). The company is planning two fundraisers in the coming months. The 1st was in June of 200,000 euros. The 2nd, scheduled for early 2010, should be 1 million. 

SOURCES

INRA, EDERNA