3-Hydroxypropionic Acid Salt Crystallization for Solvent-Free Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recovering 3-hydroxypropionic acid face challenges such as low extraction efficiency, high solvent usage, and emulsion formation, making it difficult to achieve high-purity recovery, especially when using trioctylamine or tridecylamine, and the recovery of alkali metal or alkali earth metal salt hydrates is not efficiently addressed.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the formation of 3-hydroxypropionic acid salt crystals in the presence of alkali metal or alkali earth metal salts, followed by adding an acid to the aqueous solution to separate alkali metal salt hydrates or alkali earth metal salt hydrates and 3-hydroxypropionic acid, optimizing conditions like temperature and acid concentration to enhance particle size and reduce moisture content for efficient recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If reactive extraction method using amine or alcohol is applied to separate 3HP, then extraction efficiency is improved, but large amount of organic solvent is required and emulsion phenomenon occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidorganic solvent amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the extraction mechanism from reactive extraction using amine/alcohol to crystallization-based separation. By controlling temperature and pH parameters, 3HP is converted to salt form that crystallizes out of the aqueous solution, eliminating the need for large amounts of organic solvent while achieving high extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical extraction system (using amine or alcohol solvents) with a crystallization system. The separation is achieved through formation and filtration of salt crystals, substituting the traditional liquid-liquid extraction mechanism with a solid-liquid separation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional organic acid separation processes such as precipitation and extraction are applied to 3HP, then separation is attempted, but high hydrophilicity and high solubility of 3HP make it difficult to apply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidseparation feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (alkali metal or alkali earth metal salt) that mediates the separation process. The intermediary forms a salt complex with 3HP, changing its solubility characteristics and enabling crystallization. This intermediary allows 3HP to be separated from the aqueous solution despite its high hydrophilicity and solubility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If trioctylamine or tridecylamine is used as amine for extraction, then extraction efficiency of 3HP is improved, but emulsion phenomenon occurs and organic phase and aqueous phase are not separated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidphase separation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the liquid-liquid extraction system (which causes emulsion and phase separation issues) with a crystallization system. The target substance 3HP is converted to a solid salt crystal form that can be easily separated from the aqueous phase by filtration, eliminating the emulsion problem while maintaining high extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This method enables high-purity recovery of 3-hydroxypropionic acid with high recovery rates and efficient recycling of alkali metal or alkali earth metal salt hydrates, reducing moisture content and improving fluidity for easier filtration, while minimizing impurities and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

forming and separating 3-hydroxypropionic acid salt crystal from a concentrate containing 3-hydroxypropionic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

adding an acid to the aqueous solution containing the 3-hydroxypropionic acid salt crystal to form and separate an alkali metal salt hydrate or the alkali earth metal salt hydrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4328215B1Method for collecting alkali metal salt hydrate and 3-hydroxypropionic acid

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 LG CHEM LTD

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a process of recovering alkali metal salt hydrate and 3-hydroxypropionic acid, comprising: forming and separating 3-hydroxypropionic acid salt crystal from a concentrate containing 3-hydroxypropionic acid in the presence of an alkali metal salt; and adding an acid to the aqueous solution containing the separated 3-hydroxypropionic acid salt crystal to form and separate an alkali metal salt hydrate and 3-hydroxypropionic acid.