Recovery of volatile products from fermentation broth

Abstract

Provided are apparatuses and processes for the removal and purification of fermentation prepared one or more volatile organic compounds. The apparatuses comprise a fermentor unit, a vacuum side stripper unit (10), and, optionally, one or more of a pressure-swing adsorption unit, a dual-function column, a dividing wall distillation column unit, and a means for inducing phase separation of a mixture of a volatile organic compound and water.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by fermentation of a fermentation broth and for removing VOCs from the fermentation broth. Background technique [0002] Butanol is an important industrial chemical that is used, for example, as a fuel, a fuel additive, or as a precursor or intermediate in the production of other useful chemicals. [0003] In recent years, the cost of butanol production by hydroformylation technology has increased significantly due to the high cost of propylene feedstock. Production of butanol by fermentation represents an alternative process technology that offers the potential for low-cost production utilizing lower-cost feedstocks. [0004] In the production of butanol or other solvents or volatile organic compounds, an important aspect of the fermentation process is the purification of said compounds. Another important aspect is the control and removal of solven...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although by adding CO 2 The fouling rate can be reduced by injecting bubbles of gas or other gases into the fermenter vessel near the surface outside the membrane (fermenter side) to wash the outside of the membrane, or by injecting liquid flow into the membrane surface as in cross-flow membrane modules, but Fouling rate is often a significant issue at high cell concentrations in culture medium

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