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Flow chemistry systems for industry

The pharmaceutical sector currently produces up to 100 kilograms of chemical waste for every kilo of fine chemicals it produces. These inefficient processes waste resources and money.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Flow chemistry reactors are a proven, safe, efficient, cost-saving, and reliable alternative to conventional batch apparatus for chemical processing.

FloWorks lets businesses new to flow chemistry 'try before they buy'. When they're convinced, FloWorks' experienced team can design, install and commission flow chemistry systems for them. It can also train the client's staff in flow chemistry.

Our flow chemistry expertise has helped Australian companies expand overseas, open up new export markets, improve their product quality and lower operating costs.

[Music plays and CSIRO logo and text appears:FloWorks CSIRO’s Centre for Industrial Flow Chemistry]

[Images flash through of Dr. Christian Hornung working in a laboratory and then the image changes to show Dr. Christian Hornung talking to the camera and text appears: Dr. Christian Hornung, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Manufacturing]

Dr. Christian Hornung: Hi. My name is Christian Hornung. I am a Research Scientist at CSIRO and I work in the Flow Chemistry area.

[Image changes to show a male working in the Centre for Industrial flow Chemistry]

The Centre for Industrial Flow Chemistry is a new facility here at Clayton.

[Camera zooms in on the male tapping a touch screen computer and then the camera zooms in on the male’s hand working on one of the machines]

It is a technology platform that provides access to CSIRO’s cutting edge flow chemistry technology to industry as well as academic researchers.

[Image changes to show Dr. Christian Hornung talking to the camera]

Flow Chemistry’s a smarter way of making chemicals.

[Image changes and text appears: Flow Chemistry, This is How it Works]

In flow chemistry,

[Image changes to show an animation diagram of two feed tanks feeding into a reactor]

other than in a classical batch process, the starting materials are fed into the reactor continuously and this is where the reaction takes place.

[Image shows a second reactor and a third feed tank being added to the animation diagram]

If you use multi stage processing, you can eliminate the need for manual handling of chemicals in between steps and that greatly improves safety.

[Image shows inline purification and a product tank being added to the animation diagram]

Adding in inline purification makes the whole process more streamlined and efficient

[Image changes to show an analysis box being added to the animation diagram]

and when you integrate smart monitoring and online analysis the whole process can be automated.

[Image changes to show Dr. Christian Hornung talking to the camera]

So, what are the benefits of flow chemistry for your business?

[Image changes to show two males looking at a computer screen and then the camera zooms in on a male using a touch screen]

It basically means that you can reduce your reaction times, you can reduce your plant space

[Image changes to show Dr. Christian Hornung talking to the camera]

and that means that they’ll have less energy costs, a much more efficient process, less waste and a much safer environment.

[Image changes to show a glass beaker with liquid being picked up and then the image changes to show a male working on a touch screen]

At the Centre for Industrial Flow Chemistry we offer a complete package which is quite unique.

[Image changes to show a part of the equipment and then the image changes to show

Dr. Christian Hornung talking to the camera]

So, we’re looking at the chemical development as well as the technology from the very early discovery stages

[Image changes to show two males working at a piece of laboratory equipment and then the camera zooms in on the male’s hands as he adds chemical]

going through a scale up process to the final pilot scale where we then can do the tech transfer back to the client’s site

[Image changes to show a male and a female walking up a set of stairs]

where he can do the manufacturing of their product.

[Image shows the male and the female looking at the equipment]

In the new Centre, we will combine the small-scale capabilities for discovery as well as our large-scale reactors under one roof.

[Camera zooms in on the female’s face as she talks to the male and then the camera zooms out to show them looking up at a gauge on top of stainless steel type tanks and then filling a beaker from the tank]

It’s going to be a collaborative space and in the future we’re looking forward to having even more engagement with industry

[Image changes to show Dr. Christian Hornung talking to the camera]

and for this technology to be taken up by chemical manufacturers in all areas.

[Music plays and images flash through of Zoran Manev walking through an office and talking to a female at a computer and then the image changes to show Zoran Manev talking to the camera and text appears: Zoran Manev, Director, Boron Molecular]

Zoran Manev: Boron Molecular is a manufacturer of fine chemicals. The fine chemicals are used in both the pharmaceutical and material science field.

[Image changes to show a beaker of fluid on sitting on top of a machine and then the image changes to show Zoran Manev talking to the camera]

I guess I’m now one of the prophets of flow chemistry and we have a unit here on site

[Image changes to show two males walking down a set of stairs past laboratory equipment]

that we use to develop a number of our processes or convert them from batch to flow.

[Image changes to show two males looking at the equipment and then the camera zooms in on hoses running into the equipment]

Flow chemistry will enable us to make purer molecules.

[Images changes to show a piece of the equipment and then the image changes to show pharmaceutical products on shelves and the camera pans around the shelves]

So, we will have fewer side chains and fewer issues when we scale up manufacturer from small-scale to larger even tonne lots.

[Image changes to show Zoran Manev talking to the camera and then the image changes to show a piece of laboratory equipment]

The resultant of that is, is that you’re wasting less solvents, less energy and you’re having far less material that you’re discarding into the environment.

[Image changes to show hoses joining into the laboratory equipment and then the image changes to show Zoran Manev talking to the camera]

We’re excited at the prospect of working with CSIRO’s Centre for Industrial Flow Chemistry.

[Camera zooms in on Zoran Manev’s face and then images move through of a male and female looking at a piece of equipment, a male looking at liquid in a beaker and a female looking up]

We look to that partnership being one where we will get introduced to a number of potential clients through our involvement with the Centre

[Image changes and the camera pans in a clockwise direction around a room with stainless steel tanks]

and likewise the Centre will continue to develop molecules for us that we will eventually bring back to our facility for manufacturing.

[Image changes to show Zoran Manev talking to the camera]

In five to ten years’ time I see flow chemistry as being the prevalent chemistry on site.

[Image changes to show Dr. Christian Hornung talking to the camera]

Dr. Christian Hornung: If people want to get access to the facility and learn more about the technology get in contact with us.

[CSIRO logo and text appears: Big ideas start here, www.csiro.au]

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The benefits

  • better process control resulting in higher product yields and purities, shorter reaction times, and less waste
  • better scalability due to compact, efficient and modular reactor design
  • smaller physical footprint resulting in reduced capital, operating and maintenance costs
  • superior mixing, enhanced heat and mass transfer, wide pressure and temperature operation windows
  • 'plug and play' modular equipment; lower capital investment.

Use this service

To learn more about the science and our expertise visit FloWorks' website.

Dr Christian Hornung

Research Group Leader - Chemistry & Polymers (Manufacturing)

Clayton central precinct
Research Way
Clayton
Vic 3168

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