Separation Techniques Ltd

About

Your leading destination for molecular level separation and purification techniques

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Typical Projects

Laboratory and Pilot Facilities

Our facilities feature cutting-edge laboratory and pilot systems, equipped with glass columns to enhance process visibility alongside in-house monitoring equipment seamlessly integrated with computer systems for rapid data collection and analysis.

• SepTech can offer pilot units, with 1 to 6 column configurations, available for lease on a monthly basis to clients that are either manual or fully automated.
• Our smaller pilot systems incorporate 25-litre glass columns with manually operated valves, which offer versatility and adaptability to various configurations of 1 to 5 columns.
• On the other hand, our six column pilot unit boasts full automation and FDA-approved components, providing enhanced efficiency and monitoring capabilities. This system with 200-litre internal volume per column is capable of holding 75 to 150 litres of resin enabling production of larger food and pharmaceutical grade samples that the customer can send to potential clients for evaluations.

We have developed our own IEX software to enable programming the PLC and SCADA system without having to utilise software Engineers. This eliminates programming errors.

Resin and Instrumentation

We source our resins from reputable manufacturers such as Dupont/Dow and Purolite International, guaranteeing quality and performance consistency. Appropriate instrumentation and PLC control are tailored to ensure seamless operation. Whether providing comprehensive instrumentation solutions or collaborating with clients to source local components, our team ensures optimal performance and efficiency.

Fluid Distribution Systems, Columns and PLC

Our fluid distribution systems are designed in-house and meticulously engineered by our preferred specialists using 316L stainless or Hastelloy depending on the material to be processed to meet the specific requirements of each project.

Our instrumentation engineers can provide the necessary instrumentation and PLC required for controlling the operation of the system. SepTech can provide the Key equiptment to ensure smooth operation of the plant ie; IEX Columns, internals, Resin, the control systems and key instrumention. .

Our Team

The SepTech Team collectively embodies a fusion of expertise, innovation, and dedication, driving forward the company’s mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions in ion exchange technology.

 

Involved in process development and scale up of bespoke processes for the Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Petrochemical industries using chromatographic and ion exchange techniques.

The Company’s main team has over four decades of experience in resin application industries globally. During our inception years we worked as preferred consultants for the resin manufacturer Rohm and Haas Company (now part of the Dupont Industries), in all their special applications for their top customers in the process industries using IEX technology. The team has:

• Significant experience in a variety of process applications, ranging from pharmaceutical purifications (e.g. antibiotics) to chemical processing (e.g. boron removal from MgCl₂ brine) as well as food applications (e.g. whey processing for infant formulations)
• A good track record with a multinational client base

Personnel

IEX Engineering Specialist – Stephen Scott

Stephen Scott at Separation Techniques traces back to 1985, with Prodesman Limited the predecessor to SepTech, where he played a pivotal role as its fluid dynamic expert and consultant engineer. In 1994, Prodesman Limited was renamed as Separation Technologies Limited and Stephen Scott continued as a Director of Separation Technologies offering the same services.

Equipped with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brunel University and a passion for Mathematics and Physics, his expertise lies in devising innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Early work involved developing a super conducting magnetic separator, canister train. This involved distributing 400m³/hour through a 100 mm diameter pipe, which laid the groundwork for pioneering advancements in fluid dynamics, particularly in high-volume material flow scenarios.

This work was translated to improving the design of fluid distribution systems, crucial to the ion exchange industry, ensuring uniform flow rates and optimal performance. These proprietary equations, meticulously tested and refined in real world scenarios with distribution networks typically 3-5meters in diameter, guarantee the volumetric though put of our processes from lab, to pilot, to the main plant.

Bio-chemistry Scientist – Dr. Ash Krishnapillai

His journey with Separation Technologies began in 1997 during his tenure at Merck Sharp & Dohme, UK, where Dr. Krishnapillai was engaged in a novel research on “brain cell death following an ischaemic injury via NMDA receptor activation and its’ management through targeted therapy”.

Armed with a PhD in Biochemistry (specialising in enzyme purification) and dual Masters Degrees in both Food Technology and in Pharmacology, He leads the development and scaling of bespoke processes across Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Nutritional industries utilising chromatographic and ion exchange techniques.

With the invention of three patents spanning enzyme purification, whey demineralisation, and oligosaccharide purification, he brings to the table a wealth of industrial research and process development experience across diverse sectors, using Resin technology.

IEX Software

Screenshot of 6 column SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition)

At SepTech we have our own IEX (Ion Exchange) software. This is programmed via a simple spreadsheet to configure the PLC code to run up to 6 columns in any process configuration with all associated valves and instrumentation. This eliminates  the need  to write the software for each individual project and the associated design documentation required to specify the operation of the plant to a software engineer. This removes the software development process and reduces plant  commissioning  time considerably.

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