REQUEST # 66456

Efficient Separation of Water Insoluble Components

RESPONSE DUE DATE: 6 September 2010
MANAGER: T. Miyasugi, Ph.D. , miyasugi@ninesigma.com

SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK

PHONE: 216-283-3901

Opportunity
Equipment sale, material supply, joint development, contract
(click buttons above)
development

Timeline
Phase 1 Verification of technology (within 6 months)
Phase 2 Commercialization development (within 1 year after
the completion of Phase 1)

Financials
Details to be discussed Before After
separation separation

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION Further details and requirements for possible
NineSigma, representing a major beverage approaches A and B are as follows:
manufacturer, invites proposals for a technology
that can efficiently separate insoluble A : Aggregation Technology
components from concentrated coffee extracts Particle diameter after aggregation:
with a goal of minimizing maintenance cost. Converts 80% of the insoluble components
with a particle diameter 1 m (comprising
Currently, the client uses membrane filter about 5% of the concentrated extract) into
separating equipment where the separation particles with a diameter 1 m
membrane is washed every day and periodically Does not heat the concentrated extract above
replaced. They wish to reduce the total cost of 50 C
membrane replacement, either by reducing the With regard to the use of flocculants:
frequency of membrane replacement, or by It is preferable not to use a flocculant.
reducing the cost each time the membrane is If one is used, it must satisfy the following
replaced. requirements:
Tasteless and odorless
Requirements Approved by the FDA as a food
The client is seeking a superior process additive
technology or equipment that satisfies either one Be preferably removed after use
of the following:
B Separation Equipment
A: Insoluble component aggregation technology
that performs pre-processing to make the Desired separation level: reduce insolubles
separation of insoluble components easier and from 15% by volume to 0.1% by volume (see
to prevent clogging photos above)
Processing capacity: about 10 m3 per day
B: Highly efficient insoluble component Processing rate: 15 L/m2h
separation equipment that minimizes the total Total cost of membrane replacement:
cost of membrane replacement US$ 100,000 per year for the above
processing capacity

Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com

RFP format and graphics Copyright 2010 NineSigma, Inc
NineSigma Request # 66456 Efficient Separation of Water Insoluble Components
For example, the total cost of membrane
replacement may be reduced by the following
conditions:
Linear velocity: 4 m/sec
Membrane replacement frequency: about
once for a processing quantity 50 m3/m2
(can be washed during this period)
Does not heat the concentrated extract above
50 C
Description of the Concentrated Extract
The concentrated extract contains the
following three types of components:
Water.
Soluble solids: 25 weight %
Precipitates (substances to be
separated): 15 volume %
Details of precipitates:
Components: such as polysaccharides,
polyphenols, and lipids that are found in
coffee beans.
Particle diameters: 0.1 to 10 m
Temperature: under 50 C
pH: 5
BACKGROUND
At the present time the client uses highly efficient
membrane separation equipment to remove
insoluble components from coffee extract liquors.
However, the membrane must be frequently
replaced making it an important cost issue that
must be reduced. Because of small particle
diameters and low specific gravity, most insolubles
do not precipitate immediately upon concentration
and are difficult to separate even with a centrifuge.
Technologies for separating insoluble components
are used in a wide variety of fields, from foods,
semiconductors, pharma and industrial waste
water treatment. A common issue to all these
fields is the need for an efficient separation
technology with reduced maintenance cost.
Therefore, believing that many usable
technologies to solve this problem must exist, the
client has issued this open request to identify
suitable alternatives.
POSSIBLE APPROACHES
Anticipated approaches include, but are not
necessarily limited to, the following:
A: Aggregation Technology
Electrical processing: neutralizing the surface
charge of the substances to be separated
Use of ultrasound: using the effect of
ultrasound radiation pressure to coagulate
microparticles
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium
Page 2
Use of flocculants:
Inorganic flocculant
Polymer flocculant
B: Separation Equipment
Membrane separation equipment such as
cross flow filtration
Equipment that uses membranes that rarely
clog
ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN
The client will perform a primary screening of the
written responses and then perform sample testing
or seek direct discussions concerning promising
proposals (secondary screening) with preferred
Respondents. After assigning priorities based on
the secondary screening, they will begin
discussions with promising candidate
organizations concerning a collaboration.
ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL
Please use the response template for your
proposal submissions.
(https://www.myninesigma.com/sites/public/_layout
s/ProposalTemplates/Response_Template_66456.
doc)
All proposals should include the following items:
Overview of the proposed technology
(proposed technology, principles, etc.)
Current Performance of the proposed
technology:
A: substances to be separated,
particle diameters after they have been
aggregated, and the properties of a
flocculant (if one is used) such as being
tasteless and odorless, its applications,
etc.
B: substances to be separated,
separation efficiency, processing capacity,
linear velocity, frequency of membrane
replacement, total cost of membrane
replacement, applications, etc.
Present stage of development
Challenge to be overcome to achieve the
goal and development plan
Overview of the organization and past
achievements
www.ninesigma.com
NineSigma Request # 66456 Efficient Separation of Water Insoluble Components Page 3
RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST

NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
By submitting a Response you represent that the
Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.

Your Response should be an executive summary (about

3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
technical approach and provide information on
technology performance, background, and description of
the responding team and their related experience. A
Response Template is available from our website.

By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that

NineSigmas client reserves the sole and absolute right
and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of
the Responses received for this announcement.
NineSigmas client also may choose to select only
specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
all award amounts.

RESPONSE EVALUATION
NineSigmas client will evaluate the Response using the
following criteria:

Overall scientific and technical merit of the

proposed approach
Approach to proof of concept or performance
Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
technology novel or protectable)
Economic potential of concept
Respondents capabilities and related experience
Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates

The client will contact respondents with highly

responsive proposals for next steps.

Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com