3-Hydroxypropionic Acid Recovery via Salt Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recovering 3-hydroxypropionic acid suffer from low yield and purity, especially due to its high hydrophilicity and reactivity with water, and generate significant waste, making it difficult to separate and purify effectively.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the formation of 3-hydroxypropionate crystals in the presence of alkali metal or alkali earth metal salts, followed by adding ammonia to the solution, which allows for high-yield and high-purity recovery of 3-hydroxypropionic acid, with the precipitate being reusable as a neutralizing agent and ammonia being recycled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional extraction methods (electrodialysis, reverse osmosis, organic solvent extraction) are used to separate 3-hydroxypropionic acid from fermentation liquor, then some separation is achieved, but the product purity is low and additional conversion processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of 3-hydroxypropionic acid by converting it to its calcium salt form, which fundamentally alters its solubility and separation characteristics. This parameter change enables direct crystallization and filtration, achieving high purity without complex additional conversion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates calcium 3-hydroxypropionate crystals from the fermentation liquor through crystallization and filtration processes. This direct extraction of the salt form avoids the need for subsequent conversion steps required by conventional methods, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high purity.
2Productivity
If back extraction method using sodium hydroxide is used to extract 3-hydroxypropionic acid, then high yield is achieved, but the product is obtained as organic acid salt requiring further conversion and has low purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses calcium ions instead of hydroxide ions to form the salt, changing the chemical parameter of the extraction agent. This results in calcium 3-hydroxypropionate which can be directly recovered as high-purity crystals through filtration, eliminating the need for further conversion processes while maintaining high yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The calcium 3-hydroxypropionate crystal formation process is self-sufficient, where the salt crystals directly form and can be separated by filtration. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for subsequent conversion steps, achieving both high yield and high purity simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If reactive extraction method using amine or alcohol diluents is used to extract 3-hydroxypropionic acid, then selective extraction is achieved, but extraction efficiency is low or emulsion phenomenon occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction approach from using reactive diluents (amines/alcohols) to using calcium ions to form insoluble salt crystals. This parameter change in the extraction mechanism achieves both high selectivity and high efficiency, avoiding the emulsion problems and low efficiency associated with conventional reactive extraction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition through crystallization of calcium 3-hydroxypropionate from the aqueous solution. This phase change enables clean separation by filtration, achieving high selectivity and efficiency without the emulsion issues that plague liquid-liquid extraction methods using amine or alcohol diluents.
4Productivity
If 3-hydroxypropionic acid is recovered through conventional methods, then some recovery is achieved, but significant waste is generated and environmental friendliness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses the calcium salt precipitate as a neutralizing agent in the fermentation process, eliminating waste generation. This circular approach where the by-product is recovered and reused achieves high recovery rates while completely avoiding the waste disposal issues of conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The calcium salt formed during the extraction process serves a dual function: it enables high-purity recovery of 3-hydroxypropionic acid and simultaneously acts as a neutralizing agent in the fermentation process. This self-service function eliminates the need for separate waste treatment processes, achieving both high recovery rates and zero waste generation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process achieves high recovery rates of 3-hydroxypropionic acid in high purity while minimizing waste generation by reusing the precipitate and recycling ammonia, thus promoting an environmentally friendly recovery process.
Implementation Method 1
forming a 3-hydroxypropionate crystal in a concentrate containing 3-hydroxypropionic acid in the presence of an alkali metal salt or an alkali earth metal salt
Implementation Method 2
adding ammonia to the solution containing the 3-hydroxypropionate crystal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process of recovering 3-hydroxypropionic acid, comprising: forming a 3-hydroxypropionate crystal in a concentrate containing 3-hydroxypropionic acid in the presence of an alkali metal salt; preparing a solution containing the 3-hydroxypropionate crystal separated from the concentrate; and adding ammonia to the solution containing the 3-hydroxypropionate crystal, and a slurry composition comprising a precipitate prepared in the process of recovering 3-hydroxypropionic acid, and 3-hydroxypropionic acid.