Raw-material proximate composition and variability
Food tech · plant protein
How to model plant protein extraction and fractionation
Track protein, solids, water, antinutritional factors and functionality from crop input to concentrate or isolate.
Cleaning / millExtractionSeparationPrecipitationWashConcentrateDry
Engineering brief
Model the complete decision, not an isolated unit operation.
Plant-protein production is a yield-purity-water trade-off. Acatian can carry protein, carbohydrate, fiber, oil, ash and water through dry or wet fractionation while recording functional-quality targets as evidence-backed constraints.
Repeated extraction, precipitation, washing and diafiltration can improve purity but consume water, chemicals, membrane area and drying energy. The process model makes that trade-off measurable.
01 · Model basis
What the Acatian model needs to resolve
Inputs, mechanisms, limits and outputs remain reviewable on one declared basis.Inputs
Extraction pH, temperature, ratio and recovery
Solid-liquid separation and washing performance
Concentration, diafiltration, evaporation and drying data
Mechanisms
Component extraction and partition balances
pH and chemical-addition stoichiometry
Centrifuge, filter and membrane recovery
Water removal and drying energy
Constraints
Protein functionality and denaturation
Viscosity, solids handling and fouling
Water and wastewater capacity
Dryer inlet solids and thermal exposure
Outputs
Protein yield, purity and mass recovery
Water, chemical and energy intensity
Equipment area, throughput and schedule
COGS and sensitivity to crop assay
02 · Acatian workflow
Build it in six controlled steps
Each step creates a reviewable object, not a hidden spreadsheet assumption.- 01
Define crop assay and product specification.
- 02
Build a component-level extraction balance.
- 03
Fit separation and washing recoveries.
- 04
Add concentration and recycle loops.
- 05
Model evaporation, drying and utilities.
- 06
Compare yield-purity-functionality scenarios.
03 · Decisions
Questions the model should answer
Which extraction condition maximizes saleable value?
How many washes are economically justified?
What raw-material range can the line accept?
Which step dominates water and energy?
04 · Evidence boundary
Validate before the result carries weight
Validation
Use representative crop lots and independent pilot runs to verify component recovery, purity, functionality proxies, membrane flux, dryer performance and wastewater load.
Limitations
Functionality, nutrition, allergens, food safety and claims require product-specific testing outside the process calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Practical modelling questions
Can protein purity and yield be tracked together?
Yes. Component balances prevent a purity gain from hiding protein loss.
Can wet and dry fractionation be compared?
Yes, on a common feed, product, annual capacity and utility boundary.
Can crop variability be included?
Yes. Assay distributions can drive sensitivity or scenario analysis.