Techno-economic analysis of sequential process to valorization of rambutan seed waste by supercritical CO2-ethanol and subcritical water extraction

Name: Kassama Utthachat

Organization : Chulalongkorn University. Faculty of Science

Name: Ruengwit Sawangkeaw

Organization : Chulalongkorn University. Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

Name: Somkiat Ngamprasertsith

Organization : Chulalongkorn University. Faculty of Science

Email : somkiat.n@chula.ac.th

keyword: Subcritical water extraction

LCSH: Rambutan

LCSH: Seeds -- Utilization

LCSH: Supercritical fluid extraction

LCSH: Carbon dioxide -- Industrial applications

LCSH: Polysaccharides

LCSH: Solvent extraction

Abstract: Rambutan is an agricultural fruit widely cultivated in Thailand, generating approximately 270,000 tons annually. During industrial processing, rambutan seeds are typically discarded as waste. This study presents a techno-economic analysis (TEA) of a sequential process for valorizing rambutan seeds, aiming to extract valuable compounds for use in food and pharmaceutical applications. The process involves screw pressing, supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) extraction with ethanol as a co-solvent, and subcritical water extraction. Due to the high fat content of rambutan seeds, oil removal is necessary prior to polysaccharide extraction. Supercritical CO₂ extraction is selected as a non-toxic method for oil removal, while subcritical water extraction is applied to obtain polysaccharides with functional biological properties. Screw pressing was used to enhance the overall extraction efficiency and reduce solvent consumption. The process was simulated using Aspen Plus to assess mass and energy balances, as well as electricity consumption. In addition, a comparative scenario using supercritical CO₂ without ethanol was considered, which achieved an oil yield of 7.32% by weight. The TEA evaluates the feasibility of supercritical CO₂ with co-solvent process configuration by analyzing factors such as product selling price, raw material cost, and operating costs at an industrial scale. The findings demonstrate the economic viability and sustainability of a value-added extraction approach for rambutan seed utilization.

King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok. Central Library

Address: BANGKOK

Email: library@kmutnb.ac.th

Created: 2025

Modified: 2025-08-04

Issued: 2025-08-04

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BibliograpyCitation : In Thai Institute of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry and Khon Kaen University. Faculty of Engineering. The 34th Thai Institute of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry International Conference (TIChE 2025) (TIChE 2025 TIChE-PE-04). Bangkok : Thai Institute of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, 2025

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