Biomass Separation via pH Adjustment and Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating biomass from oligosaccharide solutions, such as those produced through fermentation, face inefficiencies due to low membrane performance and high product losses, particularly due to the presence of proteins and color components in the permeate, which require extensive decolorization using active carbon, leading to high costs and yield losses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pH adjustment below 7 using acids and the addition of an adsorbing agent like active carbon before membrane filtration, significantly enhancing membrane performance, reducing protein and color components, and minimizing active carbon consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane filtration is performed at pH 7 to separate biomass from fermentation broth, then biomass separation is achieved, but membrane performance is low and permeate contains high amounts of proteins and color components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH value from neutral (pH 7) to acidic conditions (pH 3-6) before membrane filtration. This pH adjustment fundamentally changes the charge state of proteins and other macromolecules in the fermentation broth, improving their retention by the membrane and reducing their passage into the permeate, thereby enhancing overall membrane filtration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by performing pH adjustment and adding coagulants/flocculants before the membrane filtration step. This preliminary treatment causes proteins and color components to precipitate or aggregate, forming larger particles that are more easily retained by the membrane, thus preparing the feed solution for more effective filtration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active carbon is used to decolorize the permeate and remove proteins, then color components and proteins are removed, but product losses increase and huge active carbon columns are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing color components and proteins through pH adjustment and coagulation/flocculation before membrane filtration. This preliminary removal prevents these interfering substances from reaching the permeate in the first place, eliminating the need for subsequent active carbon treatment and associated product losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes harmful color components and proteins through coagulation and flocculation processes that cause these substances to precipitate and form removable solids, which are then separated by membrane filtration, effectively taking them out of the solution before they can cause problems downstream.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If extensive active carbon treatment is applied to remove color components, then decolorization is achieved, but the process becomes tedious and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing pH adjustment and coagulation/flocculation before membrane filtration to remove color components upfront. This eliminates the need for complex downstream decolorization processes using active carbon columns, significantly simplifying the overall downstream processing train.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex chemical treatment system (active carbon columns requiring extensive processing) with a simpler physical-chemical approach using pH adjustment and coagulation/flocculation followed by membrane filtration. This substitution reduces process complexity while achieving the same decolorization objective.
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 approach significantly improves membrane performance, reduces protein and color in the permeate, and decreases the amount of active carbon needed, resulting in lower product losses and more efficient downstream processing.
Implementation Method 1
adding an adsorbing agent to the solution comprising biomass and oligosaccharides
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for separating biomass from a solution comprising biomass and at least one oligosaccharide.comprising providing the solution comprising biomass and oligosaccharides.lowering the pH value of the solution below 7 by adding at least one acid to the solution comprising biomass and the at least one oligosaccharide. adding an adsorbing agent to the solution comprising biomass and oligosaccharides. and carrying out first membrane filtration so as to separate the biomass from the solution comprising the at least one oligosaccharide.