Project number
16108
Organization
Patton Engineering
Academic year
2016-2017
Ivermectin is an antibiotic derived from avermectins, naturally occurring compounds found in soil microbes. It is effective against parasites and has been used against river blindness, lice, scabies and many other diseases. Merck & Company owns the patent for ivermectin and produces 3-milligram pills for human use.
To produce ivermectin, the team proposes a facility with four stages: catalyst production, ivermectin synthesis, purification, and packaging. The catalyst-production stage includes a batch reactor that produces Wilkinson's catalyst, which creates ivermectin by hydrogenating a specific double bond in avermectin’s molecular structure. This hydrogenation occurs in a batch reactor at the ivermectin-synthesis stage.
Wilkinson’s catalyst contains rhodium, which is reduced to 9 ppm by separators in the purification stage. The packaging stage dries and packages the powder ready for sale and distribution.
To produce ivermectin, the team proposes a facility with four stages: catalyst production, ivermectin synthesis, purification, and packaging. The catalyst-production stage includes a batch reactor that produces Wilkinson's catalyst, which creates ivermectin by hydrogenating a specific double bond in avermectin’s molecular structure. This hydrogenation occurs in a batch reactor at the ivermectin-synthesis stage.
Wilkinson’s catalyst contains rhodium, which is reduced to 9 ppm by separators in the purification stage. The packaging stage dries and packages the powder ready for sale and distribution.