Carbon-doped titanium oxide membranes for energy-efficient edible oil refining
Our novel carbon-doped titanium oxide (CDTO) membranes offer a transformative solution for energy-efficient edible oil refining. They significantly reduce energy use by integrating a membrane-based solvent-oil separation unit, enhancing oil quality and operational efficiency.
Overview
The carbon-doped titanium oxide (CDTO) membranes represent a groundbreaking advancement for the edible oil industry, enabling significant energy savings and improving the quality of refined oil. By incorporating a membrane-based solvent-oil separation unit, this technology eliminates the need for energy-intensive thermal evaporation processes. The CDTO membranes are designed to recover solvents like hexane with high energy efficiency and without phase change, leading to approximately 68% energy savings. Additionally, the membranes' precise pore control allows for effective separation of impurities, resulting in higher-quality edible oil compared to traditional methods.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Precision pore tunability: Offers ~100 Da precision across a 200–1,000 Da molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) range.
- High mechanical strength and permeance: Capable of handling pressures over 50 bar, providing over 10 times the hexane flux of commercial membranes.
- Thermal and chemical stability: Operates effectively in organic solvents at temperatures up to 250°C.
- Scalable fabrication: Fast interfacial fabrication on hollow-fiber supports allows for high-density packing in compact modules.
- Performance stability: Demonstrates stability in organic solvents up to 100°C for 500 hours with minimal performance variation.
Technology readiness level
Currently at Technology Readiness Level 3, this technology is in the experimental proof of concept stage. Future validation plans include scaling up membrane production, demonstrating long-term operational stability, and achieving substantial energy reductions in industrial settings. The objective is to develop a fully operational prototype capable of continuous operation with significant energy efficiency improvements.
About University at Buffalo, State University of New York
University at Buffalo is a comprehensive public research university and a leading campus in the State University of New York system. Industry engagement is anchored by co-located labs on a downtown medical campus, a research and technology park with incubators, shared core facilities, and co-op talent pipelines. Partnerships with regional hospitals enable clinical studies and translation, while proximity to the U.S.–Canada border and the binational Great Lakes corridor facilitates cross‑border collaboration. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NIH, NSF, DOE, and DoD, alongside New York State innovation programs. A dedicated technology transfer office provides IP management, licensing, and startup support.
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