LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
July 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- Air Products (NYSE:APD) is collaborating with a professor
at the University of Virginia on
research studying the benefits of cryogenic freezing on
cannabinoids found in industrial hemp from the time of harvest
through extraction and final processing.
As part of the research, Dr. Bryan
Berger, an associate professor of chemical and biomedical
engineering at the University of
Virginia, will work closely with the cryogenic freezing
technology lab at Air Products' headquarters in Pennsylvania to study the effects of using
liquid cryogens such as liquid nitrogen on the quantification,
chemical composition and profiles of cannabinoids found in hemp
used in industrial and medical applications.*
"We believe this research will demonstrate the many benefits
cryogenic freezing can have for the industrial hemp industry," said
Michael Himes, of Air Products'
Merchant Research and Development. "Our experience and advanced
technology have provided game-changing solutions for those in the
biotech and food industries, and we look forward to collaborating
with those in the industrial hemp industry to improve the
effectiveness and efficiency of their processes."
At University of Virginia, Berger is
part of the industrial hemp research program and works with state,
academic, private and non-profit partners to develop new approaches
for hemp processing into products. He brings extensive experience
in design, extraction, formulation and biomanufacturing of
biologics and natural products. He is co-founder of Fiacre
Enterprises, which provides high-quality industrial hemp seed to
growers as well as expertise in growing, processing and product
development. He is also the co-founder of Lytos Technologies, an
early-stage start-up pioneering green, organic biofungicides to
protect high-value agricultural crops pre-harvest including
cannabis.
"Through this work with Air Products, the team anticipates
studying cryogenic processing profiles that will address knowledge
gaps and provide best practices to maximize value immediately
transferrable to hemp growers and processors seeking to optimize
their product yield," Berger said.
In the fast-growing industrial hemp market, industrial gases can
play an important role in growing, harvesting, processing,
extraction and packaging. There are several ways industrial gases
and freezing can help including:
- Harvesting – Flash freezing freshly harvested hemp with liquid
nitrogen prior to storage in an Air Products' Freshline®
IQ Freezer can help prevent biomass degradation or mold
while locking in the plant's rich chemical content.
- Processing – During the biomass material preparation process,
adding liquid nitrogen to the mill when grinding can eliminate heat
and subsequent oil stickiness that causes clogging and downtime.
Pre-cooling biomass prior to entering extraction using a
PolarFit® Cryogenic Cooling Conveyor provides a perfect
means of temperature control.
- Extraction – For ethanol extraction, the ultracold properties
of liquid nitrogen can be used to achieve and maintain temperatures
in the less than -80⁰C range as a cost effective and efficient
means of precise extraction.
- Packaging – Dosing the final package of product with a small
amount of liquid nitrogen can serve as a protective layer from
oxidation or moisture effectively blanketing the oils enhancing
quality and shelf-life.
- Inerting/Blanketing – When working with flammable materials or
to keep CBD product fresh, using a nitrogen blanketing
system is a best practice for safety and to achieve a
high-quality product. Keeping oils free from moisture and oxygen
via nitrogen blanketing can also extend shelf-life.
As a global leader in industrial gases and cryogenic technology
applications, Air Products has the experience and technical
know-how to help biotech, food, and chemical processors address
some of their toughest challenges through low temperature, fast-
freezing. With cryogenics laboratories located in the U.S.,
Europe, and Asia, the company can test a customer's
product on commercial-scale equipment to determine the feasibility
of using cryogenic freezing or chilling for their specific
process.
*Air Products will only sell to customers in the industrial
hemp market who can show compliance with applicable state and
federal laws and regulations.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a
world-leading industrial gases company in operation for nearly
80 years. Focused on serving energy, environment and emerging
markets, the Company provides essential industrial gases, related
equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of
industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics,
manufacturing, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the
global leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process
technology and equipment. The Company develops, engineers, builds,
owns and operates some of the world's largest industrial gas
projects, including gasification projects that sustainably convert
abundant natural resources into syngas for the production of
high-value power, fuels and chemicals.
The Company had fiscal 2019 sales of $8.9
billion from operations in 50 countries and has a current
market capitalization of over $60
billion. More than 17,000 passionate, talented and committed
employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products'
higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the
environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges
facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information,
visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter,
Facebook or Instagram.
NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements
within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of
the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual
performance and financial results may differ materially from
projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking
statements because of many factors not anticipated by management,
including risk factors described in the company's Form 10K for its
fiscal year ended September 30,
2019.
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SOURCE Air Products