Dimensional-analysis and similitude for scale-up of solid-liquid extraction of eurycoma longifolia roots

Abstract

A dimensionless model was proposed to scale-up the solid-liquid extraction of Eurycoma longifolia roots. ShSc−1 dimensionless number was found to be the best fit of all proposed models. At optimum conditions of the extraction process, which were duration of extraction of 53 min, solvent to raw material ratio of 12.5:1 and roots particle size of 0.5 to 1.0 mm, the extract yield of 8.76% at lab-scale produced ShSc−1 no. of 0.0312. Employing the scale up rule of P/V idem and scale-up factor of 7.65, the extract yield of 8.65% with 1.37% error was obtained at pilot-scale at ShSc−1 no. of 0.0376. The outcome of this study provided useful scale-up knowledge in ensuring smooth transition from lab-scale to pilot-scale.