SPINID

Company profile

SPINID designs, engineers and manufactures chemical reactors and separators based on patented ‘Spinning Disc Technology’. Enabling higher resource and energy efficiency, improving product quality and the extension of process windows. Unprecedented process controllability combined with high throughput makes this technology unique.

Spinid: a Groupid company

SPINID was founded in 2013 as with FLOWID is a Groupid company. All activities within Groupid are focused on continuous processing and flow chemistry within the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industry. Flowid has over 5 years experience of many successful projects in this relatively new field which has led to dedicated research and developments in many systems. This year Flowid launched the modular platform for flow chemistry called the FlowFlex platform. FlowFlex can best be described as a downscaled continuous production system that fits in a laboratory. Processes can be developed and optimized using this system before the step towards production scale is made. On the FlowFlex platform different types of pumping systems and reaction modules are available. These reactor modules are based on different types of continuous technologies, including micro reactors (available in different types of glass, metal and ceramics) static mixers, tubular baffled reactors and spinning disc technology.

FlowFlex, modular development platform for flow chemistry.

The spinning disc technology of Spinid enables full-scale production by means of flow chemistry. The rotor stator spinning disc reactor is capable of processing up to 10 tons a day. Therefore, Spinid believes that spinning disc technology is the key enabler for the market success of continuous flow. By introducing a new and disruptive set of process rules, spinning disc technology is a step towards the industries future requirements with respect to decentralized production, safety and quality.

Spinning disc platform technology

The patented spinning disc platform technology features a rotating disc (the rotor) that moves at high angular velocities in a narrow casing (the stator). Due to the high angular velocities and the narrow distance between the rotor and stator, large shear forces and a high degree of turbulence arise. These two physical phenomena result in excellent heat and mass transfer characteristics, which makes the rotor-stator spinning disc contactor a very efficient device for multiphase reactions or separation processes. The small internal volumes of hundreds of milliliters allow processes to be performed under process-intensified conditions. Currently Spinid offers spinning disc reactors and extractors.

Spinning disc reactor

The multiple spinning disc reactor (MSDR) allows chemical reactions to take place under high pressure and temperatures in highly controlled conditions. Enabling higher energy and resource efficiency, improving product quality, safety and adding high levels of process flexibility while maintaining full scale production capacity.

Cross section of spinning disc reactor, visit the Spinid website to view an animated visualization of the reactor.

The spinning disc reactor is a large-scale continuous flow reactor that can handle production volumes up to 10 tons per day. It provides superior multiphase mixing characteristics and is equipped with an integrated heat exchanger. Some of the application areas are: highly exothermic reactions, reactions involving hazardous or corrosive chemicals, reactions that involve high-pressure gaseous reactants, and reactions that require a high selectivity for the desired products.

Spinning disc extractor

The multiple spinning disc extractor (MSDE) allows multistage counter-current extraction in one single low volume device. The integration of these steps reduces the overall processing time improving the product quality. The ability to control the level of mixing and separation is unique. It provides control over the product quality and the ability to improve it in a cost efficient way.

Cross section of spinning disc extractor, visit the Spinid website to view an animated visualization of the extractor.

The spinning disc extractor uses centrifugal forces to generate both contacting and subsequent separation of two immiscible liquids. The degree of contacting and separation is tunable independently of each other, making it a unique and flexible device. The advantages are: short contacting time for unstable materials, limited space requirement, and handling systems with little liquid density difference. Currently applications are being examined for extracting waste components from recycling streams, and the recovery of highly valuable reaction products. Some of the application areas are: purification of antibiotics or other medicines, the recovery of vegetable oils (vitamins) or other natural ingredients.

IchemE Award

Recently the spinning disc extractor received the Core Chemical Engineering Award 2013 awarded by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). The IChemE 2013 Awards provide a platform to recognize and reward chemical engineering innovation and excellence. The spinning disc extractor received the award because it demonstrates a chemical engineering solution to improve resource efficiency, lifetime value and/or process optimization.

Testing and information

For on site testing two transportable spinning disc pilot plants are available. These setups include pumping systems and controls and enable tie into an existing plant.

Transportable spinning disc pilot plants are available for on site testing.

For EPS logo download visit www.spinid.nl/news/press.html