Supercritical CO 2 extraction of grape seeds oil: scale-up and economic analysis

This work presents a scale-up and feasibility study for the establishment of supercritical CO 2 extraction plants to produce grape seeds oil. The scale-up factors are determined using experimental and modelling results based on seeds from six grape cultivars over 2 harvest years. The purchased cost of the production plant is estimated using ‘the six-tenth rule’ from the cost of a pilot scale unit. The results indicate that, at the current minimum retail selling price of extra virgin grape seeds oil, the proposed project is technically viable and economically feasible with a breakeven point of US$ 7.46 per kg-oil and rate of return on investment of 28%.