Aqueous Extraction
Aqueous Extraction
Mechotech engineers Aqueous Extraction as a water-based solid-liquid extraction configuration of its extraction platforms, using water (deionised or process water) as the sole extraction medium instead of ethanol, hexane, or hydro-alcoholic blends. Running an extractor on water rather than an organic solvent removes the need for solvent recovery and flame-proof/ATEX provisions associated with flammable solvents, and suits applications where a solvent-free or residue-free extract is required.
Feed material is contacted with water — at ambient or elevated temperature depending on the target compound's solubility and heat sensitivity — within the same batch, continuous, or counter-current extraction body Mechotech supplies for its other solvent configurations. Because no organic solvent is involved, downstream desolventising is simplified to straightforward dewatering/drying rather than solvent-vapour recovery, and the plant does not require the ATEX/flame-proof provisions that ethanol or hexane duty needs. Mechotech fabricates the extraction vessel or body, water-handling and heating system, and filtration/clarification train in SS 316L (or a process-appropriate grade) with electropolished product-contact surfaces, with capacity and configuration (batch, continuous, or counter-current) engineered to the customer's feedstock and target extract.
Process Flow
Technical Specifications
| Technology | Water-based (aqueous) solid-liquid extraction |
|---|---|
| Working Principle | Target compounds transfer from the feed material into a water-only extraction medium under controlled temperature and residence time |
| Extraction Format | Batch, continuous, or counter-current (configurable, per Mechotech's extraction-body platforms) |
| Solvent | Water (deionised / process water); no organic solvent required |
| Product-contact Material | SS 316L (or process-appropriate grade), electropolished |
| Solvent Handling | No organic-solvent recovery or ATEX/flame-proof provisions required |
| Downstream Processing | Filtration, concentration, and drying (via Mechotech's evaporation/drying equipment) |
| Automation | PLC-based control of temperature and residence time (configurable to SCADA) |
| Capacity | Configured to requirement — pilot to commercial scale |
| Utilities | Process/deionised water supply, electric power for heating and circulation, compressed air |
| Compliance | WHO-GMP, Schedule M hygienic design |
Manufacturing Process
Feed Preparation
Feed material is sized and prepared ahead of extraction to suit water-based mass transfer.
Water Charging / Contact
Water — at ambient or process-controlled temperature — is charged to or circulated through the extraction body, contacting the feed material.
Extraction Hold
The feed and water are held in contact for the process-defined residence time, allowing target compounds to transfer into the aqueous phase.
Aqueous Extract Drawoff
The water-based extract is drawn off from the extraction body for downstream filtration and concentration.
Filtration & Clarification
The aqueous extract passes through filtration to remove suspended solids ahead of concentration or drying.
Marc Discharge
Extracted, water-wet solids are discharged from the extraction body for downstream dewatering or disposal.
Concentration / Drying (Downstream)
The clarified aqueous extract is routed to Mechotech's evaporation or drying equipment for concentration to the target solids level.
Major Plant Equipment
- Extraction vessel or body (batch, continuous, or counter-current configuration)
- Water charging / circulation system
- Heating system (jacket or in-line, as configured)
- Extract drawoff and collection manifold
- Filtration / clarification unit
- Marc discharge system
- Instrumentation — temperature and level sensors
- PLC/HMI control panel
Plant Output
Applications
- Water-soluble botanical and herbal actives extraction
- Solvent-free nutraceutical extract production
- Aqueous extraction of gums, mucilage, and water-soluble polysaccharides
- Residue-free extract production for sensitive end-use applications
- Aqueous pre-extraction ahead of downstream purification
Key Features
No Organic-Solvent Handling
Using water as the sole extraction medium removes the solvent-recovery, storage, and vapour-handling systems an organic-solvent process requires.
No ATEX / Flame-Proof Requirement
Because no flammable solvent is used, the plant does not need the ATEX/flame-proof electrical and mechanical provisions that ethanol or hexane extraction requires.
Simplified Desolventising
Downstream processing is straightforward dewatering and drying rather than solvent-vapour recovery, simplifying the process train.
Configurable Extraction Format
Available in batch, continuous, or counter-current configuration, built on the same extraction-body platforms Mechotech supplies for its other solvent options.
GMP-Compliant Construction
Electropolished SS 316L product-contact surfaces meet WHO-GMP and Schedule M requirements for regulated-industry production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aqueous Extraction and how does it differ from solvent-based extraction?
What extraction formats are available for Aqueous Extraction?
What happens to the aqueous extract after extraction?
How does Aqueous Extraction differ from Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE)?
What products suit Aqueous Extraction?
What capacity range can Mechotech supply?
Does Mechotech supply the complete Aqueous Extraction system as a turnkey plant?
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