Supercritical CO2 extraction of grape seeds oil: scale‐up and economic analysis

Summary This work presents a scale‐up and feasibility study for the establishment of supercritical CO2 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%.