TRANSFORMING INDUSTRIES
Visionary Fiber Technologies, Inc. (VFT) commercializes its proprietary Fiber Reactor (FR) to address industrial processing challenges via massive microfluidic array technology with unprecedented throughput.
Adopters of VFT’s technology capitalize on process intensification benefits in a multitude of applications. The integration of generative design principles and continuous flow operations eliminate bottlenecks of traditional microfluidic methodology.
Massive Microfluidic Arrays
New techniques using massive microfluidic systems are being deployed by VFT to replace traditional cleanup processes. The FR microfluidic system creates repeating micrometer thick ribbons of oil and aqueous solvent. The physical constraints of the microfluidic reactor allow two immiscible materials to be in intimate contact as the liquids pass through the length of the reactor column.
The level of turbulence between the two phases can be precisely controlled to produce a desired mass transfer without creation of intractable emulsions. The enhanced two phase interface surface area as fluids flow down the length of
the reactor allows for efficient transfer of water-soluble
materials from the oil into the aqueous phase.
The oil and aqueous phases separate without emulsion in a horizontal tank after leaving the microfluidic array. Purified oil is recovered at the top of the separator and the contaminant-laden aqueous phase is drawn out from the bottom of the separator.
Benefits
- CONTINUOUS FLOW System
- NO Mechanical Agitation
- SHORT residence time
- LOW WIP
- FUNCTIONALIZABLE Fibers
- SMALL Footprint
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
BIOFUELS • EDIBLE INGREDIENTS • BIOLOGICS • RARE EARTH ELEMENTS
Reactive Extractions
Whether it involves recovery of aromatics used in flavors and fragrances, rare earths and metals needed for various catalysts, electronics and medical devices, or premium ingredients destined for biopharma and nutraceutical compounding, VFT can develop a process which achieves the intended goals in a cost-effective manner.
Biocatalysis
The high surface area achieved by massive microfluidic arrays can drive to equilibrium any chemical reaction that requires intimate contact between two immiscible liquids.
Liquid-Liquid Separations
VFT’s FR technology enables efficient stream processing to remove contaminants at a low operating expense.
Commercial Applications
VFT’s microfluidic FRs are currently deployed in multiple industries. Commercial biofuel systems commissioned at ethanol production facilities process 100% of the non-food grade oil produced at each location in a single stage microchannel reactor process. Distiller’s Corn Oil (DCO) is purified to meet Renewable Diesel (RD) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) inbound feedstock quality requirements of < 3 ppm phosphorous and < 10 ppm total metals in one pass.
The FR’s single pass rate compares favorably to inherently inefficient industry norms that require significant residence time and costly centrifugation. The resulting product is converted, through the RD/SAF production process, into a final fuel with a carbon intensity score of less than 30 gCO2/MJ.
Competitive Advantages
High Surface Area to Volume
50,000 m2/m3 vs 100 m2/m3 with Traditional Reactors
Rapid Mass Transfer
Short Diffusion Distance due to Microchanneling
Hydrodynamics
Laminar Flow, Droplet Flow, Secondary Flow
Scale-Up
Industrial-scale Throughput
Fiber Surface
Modulate Channel Surface