1,4-BDO Separation from Fermentation Broth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating water miscible compounds with boiling points higher than water from fermentation broths are inefficient due to challenges such as azeotrope formation, emulsion complications, and reactivity of biosynthetic byproducts, which hinder effective separation and recycling of media components, leading to suboptimal fermentation processes.
Innovation Solution
A process involving disc stack centrifugation, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, ion exchange, and evaporation to separate and purify 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from fermentation broths, including the removal of cells, salts, and water, allowing for the recycling of media components and achieving high purity of the compound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If direct distillation is used to separate water miscible compounds from fermentation broth, then separation can be achieved, but azeotrope formation occurs making separation inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into multiple sequential stages: first removing cells by centrifugation, then removing salts by filtration, and finally concentrating the compound by evaporation. This segmentation avoids the azeotrope formation problem that would occur with direct distillation of the entire broth.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is removed from the fermentation broth before the final concentration step. This preliminary removal of water prevents the compound from forming an azeotrope with water during the concentration process, enabling efficient separation without the reliability issues of azeotrope formation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separation steps are used to remove cells and salts, then purification quality improves, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fermentation broth is separated into two main fractions: a cell-free supernatant and a cell pellet. The supernatant contains both the target compound and dissolved salts, allowing subsequent salt removal and compound concentration to be performed in a simplified manner. This multi-functional separation approach achieves high purification quality while managing process complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If water is removed before salt removal, then compound concentration is improved, but salt solubility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The process changes the concentration parameters of the broth by removing water through evaporation before final concentration. This parameter change affects the solubility equilibrium of salts, allowing them to be removed by filtration at controlled concentration levels without compromising salt separation reliability.
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 process enables efficient isolation and recycling of 1,4-BDO, overcoming the challenges of azeotrope formation and byproduct reactivity, resulting in a more optimal fermentation media recipe and reduced costs, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
separating a liquid fraction enriched in 1,4-BDO from a solid fraction that includes cells
Implementation Method 2
removing water from the liquid fraction
Implementation Method 3
removing salts from the liquid fraction
Data Source
AI summary
A process of isolating 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth includes separating a liquid fraction enriched in 1,4-BDO from a solid fraction comprising cells, removing water from said liquid fraction, removing salts from said liquid fraction, and purifying 1,4-BDO. A process for producing 1,4-BDO includes culturing a 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism in a fermentor for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-BDO. The 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism includes a microorganism having a 1,4-BDO pathway having one or more exogenous genes encoding a 1,4-BDO pathway enzyme and/or one or more gene disruptions. The process for producing 1,4-BDO further includes isolating 1,4-BDO.