Development of low-temperature trap for capturing valuable biological active materials

Producers and processors of agricultural raw materials are faced with the task of increasing the competitiveness of their products and added value. One of the solutions to these problems is to increase the depth of processing raw materials by agricultural producers or primary processors to obtain valuable products with high added value that are in demand in the markets for the production of final products (in pharmaceuticals, perfume and cosmetics industry, ready-made food production, etc.). In the process of obtaining valuable products of agricultural raw materials there is a need for low-temperature condensation and/or low-temperature adsorption of useful products or intermediate technological substances. Low temperature refrigerated vapour traps with an operating temperature range of −70 °C to −110 °C and below are used for such process operations. In many technological applications, these traps are used in combination with vacuum processes, e.g. in the deposition of vacuum distillation products, which predetermines the requirements for hermetic tightness of the flowing part of such a trap. In recent years, in connection with the struggle to reduce emissions of gases that destroy the ozone layer and contribute to the greenhouse effect, the EU has banned the use of the cheapest and most efficient refrigerants, e.g. R13, which allows to obtain temperatures of about −100 °C using single-stage refrigeration machines. Modern refrigerants on the market, having an order of magnitude higher price, require 2–3 times higher design pressure from the equipment and have a lower cycle efficiency. In this regard, the creation of a low-temperature trap is a complex engineering task associated not only with the design of a multi-stage refrigeration machine, but also with the creation of a control system for the cascades of the refrigeration machine and vacuum pumping equipment, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the trap and the achievement of the desired low temperature range during its long-term operation. SIA Cryogenic and vacuum systems have created a prototype of this low-temperature trap and is working on creating of processing complexes, included such traps for industrial quantities of processed biomaterials. The article highlights our engineering approaches, calculations and experience in creating a prototype of a low-temperature trap.