BCAA Crystallization with Recycled Ammonia and Low Salt Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for crystallizing branched-chain amino acids face challenges due to low solubility and require large amounts of pH control materials, leading to inefficient crystallization and environmental issues with salt waste generation.

Innovation Solution

A method that increases the solubility of branched-chain amino acids by mixing with ammonia, allowing for its reuse in the crystallization process, thereby reducing the need for additional pH adjusting agents and minimizing salt waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the concentration of branched-chain amino acids in fermentation broth is increased to improve production efficiency, then productivity is improved, but amino acid crystals form which reduces recovery rate and inhibits pretreatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidrecovery rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the fermentation broth by adding ammonia to adjust pH to alkaline range (pH 9-11), which increases the solubility of branched-chain amino acids and prevents unwanted crystal formation during fermentation, enabling higher concentration production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If neutralization recrystallization method is used to crystallize branched-chain amino acids, then crystallization is achieved, but large amount of pH control material is required leading to low crystallization efficiency and salt waste generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystallization processVSAvoidcrystallization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes ammonia generated from ammonia-oxidizing bacteria during fermentation to perform in-situ pH adjustment and crystallization. The ammonia produced by bacterial metabolism automatically serves to increase pH and promote amino acid crystallization, eliminating the need for external pH control materials and neutralization agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the ammonia generated by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria as a byproduct, the patent recovers and utilizes this ammonia for pH adjustment and crystallization promotion, converting a waste product into a valuable reagent that improves crystallization efficiency and eliminates salt waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If neutralization recrystallization method is used, then crystallization is achieved, but salt waste is generated that is difficult to cycle sustainably, causing environmental problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystallization processVSAvoidsalt waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-generated ammonia from bacterial metabolism to perform crystallization without external chemical agents, eliminating the formation of salt waste that would require sustainable cycling or disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful ammonia byproduct of bacterial metabolism into a beneficial reagent that promotes crystallization. This transforms a waste product into a useful substance, eliminating the need for harmful neutralization agents and preventing salt waste generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 method enhances crystallization efficiency and reduces production costs while being environmentally friendly by recycling ammonia and minimizing salt waste.

Implementation Method 1

mixing with ammonia may result in an increase in the pH of the reaction solution containing the branched-chain amino acid crystals and an increase in the solubility of the branched-chain amino acid in the reaction solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubility enhancement through ammonia mixing:

Implementation Method 2

adding ammonia water to a reaction solution containing BCAA crystals to dissolve the entire amount of BCAA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution through pH adjustment:

Implementation Method 3

the concentrate is treated to undergo crystallization, thereby obtaining a mixed solution of BCAA crystals and ammonia water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 4

the ammonia water is recovered from the mixed solution of BCAA crystals and ammonia water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation and recovery:

Data Source

PatentEP4067339B1Branched-chain amino acid crystallization method capable of sustainably cycling ammonia

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP

Figure 1

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a crystallization method of branched-chain amino acids capable of sustainably cycling ammonia, and branched-chain amino acid crystal produced by the method.