• Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN)

Nanofiltration is a pressure-driven membrane process that can separate molecules in the 200-1000 Dalton range. It can be used either to allow valuable molecules to permeate through the membrane (retaining impurities or unwanted materials) or to retain valuable materials (product, catalyst, etc.) whilst allowing the other components of the fluid to permeate through the membrane. Through its unique access to the STARMEM™ range of solvent-stable nanofiltration membranes, MET has developed Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN) technology.

What can you do better with OSN?

You can use OSN to separate solute molecules based on size, in process streams consisting of apolar protic solvents such as methanol, toluene and MEK.

OSN applications, developed in-house and on behalf of customers by MET include:

• Heavy Metal Removal
• Solvent Exchanges
• Catalyst Recycle and Reuse (Phase-transfer, organometallic catalysts etc.)
  
• Product purification/Recovery of Organic Compounds (including monomer/polymer separations)
• Enantiomer Separations
• Natural Product Fractionation

The advantages of OSN are savings in both time and resources. Compared to distillation and chromatography, OSN is more cost-effective, requiring 1/6th of the energy. When applied to catalyst recovery, reuse of the catalyst means that several batches of product can be produced for the cost of one batch of catalyst. Application to product purification can mean higher yields without the need for crystallisation. Unlike existing technologies, OSN can be applied at ambient temperature, a crucial advantage when dealing with temperature sensitive molecules.

A series of case studies give an illustration of the benefits that OSN has generated for customers. OSN processes are developed at the laboratory scale, but are applied all the way up to process scale. MET supports the process at all scales, from the laboratory, through pilot, right up to commercial production.

Further information about the membranes used, and applicable solvents, can be found in the STARMEM(TM) Brochure.
A body of academic literature is also available.

How can you access OSN?

We offer two routes to OSN benefits.

For access to specialist, directly applicable know-how on OSN, MET is at your service. MET's chemical engineering team has pioneered the development of OSN applications, whether generic, or customer-specific. Stuck for ways to separate different molecules? Are you working with valuable catalyst that is being discarded after use? Do you need to swap a product into a different solvent, but want to avoid distillation? Would you like to improve your separation processes? The team at MET is at your disposal to find a process development solution to your problem. To tap into MET's specialist know-how and bring advantages to your work, please get in touch!

For the opportunity to develop your own processes in-house, MET will provide all you need for OSN. MET has developed the OSN kit, consisting of the METcell, its specially-designed nanofiltration equipment, and a choice of membranes. In addition, the METcell with METcell CrossFlow System is also available in kit form. Please contact us for a quote.

What happens next?

MET is freely available to discuss your process needs and interest in OSN. We will advise on the best route forward for you, you just need to ask us! If OSN works for your needs, MET can help you take the process all the way from the lab to production. We have both the expertise and equipment, including an OSN pilot plant, to realise OSN's benefits for you.

... E-mail us today and see how your chemistry can benefit from MET's techniques

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