EPIC Designs and Builds Two-Phase Pilot Distillation Skid for Argo Genesis

EPIC Systems designed and fabricated a robust, flexible pilot plant capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions and accommodating future innovations for a prominent agribusiness company – Argo Genesis. By scaling a lab-tested biopolymer formula to a pilot plant, EPIC enabled the manufacturer to advance their biopolymer technology towards commercial viability. 

Hygienic Process System Design

Project

Overview

  • Industry: Specialty Chemical (Biofuels)
  • Company Name: Argo Genesis
  • Location: IA, USA
  • Customer Use Case: Pilot Plant, Batch Reaction, and Distillation

Customer’s

Challenge

Argo Genesis, a leading agribusiness company, faced a significant challenge of scaling a newly formulated asphalt additive from lab-scale to pilot plant production. This required not only replicating lab processes on a larger scale but also designing a pilot system robust enough to withstand harsh Iowa winters and flexible enough to process multiple biopolymer formulas, including future innovations. 

 

Epic

Solution

EPIC Systems, Inc. addressed these challenges through a combination of innovative engineering and strategic planning. The engineering team worked closely with lab data and Argo Genesis’s process knowledge to design a two-phase batch-reaction-to-distillation processing plant. This modular approach allowed for efficient scale-up and flexible operation. 

To prevent the formation of hardened plugs during separation, EPIC implemented a steam stripping process. This technique used water from steam as a barrier liquid between the solvent and biopolymer, ensuring smooth separation and enabling solvent recovery and reuse. 

The project engineering team simulated the scale-up process to ensure proper function before commencing mechanical design and skid fabrication. This preemptive simulation reduced risks and streamlined the transition from design to implementation. 

To avoid the safety concerns and costs associated with designing an indoor hazardous process, the pilot plant was designed as a modular system suitable for outdoor installation. This design choice ensured durability and ease of maintenance. 

Project

Impact

  • Efficient Production: The new biopolymer formulations were produced within 32 working hours, significantly accelerating the development process. 
  • Industry-Leading Demonstration Plant: The resulting pilot module is an industry-first biopolymer demonstration plant, representing a significant investment in the commercialization of biopolymer technology. 
  • Flexible and Future-Proof: The flexible process design allows Argo Genesis to test multiple formulas, including future innovations, and prove their viability for commercial production and distribution. 
  • Economic and Safety Benefits: By opting for an outdoor installation, the project minimized safety concerns and reduced costs, demonstrating the effectiveness of modular plant design in challenging environments. 

unlock your manufacturing potential

Connect with an EPIC engineer to discuss how our solutions can revolutionize your business.

More Client

Success Stories

Multi-Skid Process System for a New Time-Release Fragrance Technology

Multi-Skid Process System for a New Time-Release Fragrance Technology

EPIC’s innovative solutions and meticulous project management enabled the successful design, fabrication, and delivery of multi-skid systems, addressing many challenges faced by the consumer fragrance company and ensuring seamless production of their new product.

Our Solutions

EPIC Systems is a multidisciplinary engineering integrator specialized in industrial automation for process manufacturers. We deliver solutions in the following areas:

Process Systems

Machine Vision

Robotics

Industrial Automation