Biomass Separation via pH Adjustment and Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating biomass from fermentation broths containing aroma compounds, such as vanillin, face challenges with low membrane performance, high product losses, and the need for costly active carbon decolorization steps due to proteins and color compounds passing through membranes during the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving lowering the pH value of the solution below 7 by adding an acid and adding an adsorbing agent, preferably active carbon, before membrane filtration to enhance membrane performance, reduce protein and color components in the permeate, and minimize active carbon consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane filtration is used to separate biomass from fermentation broth, then separation is achieved, but membrane performance is low and proteins/color compounds pass through the membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the pH to isoelectric points (pH 3-5 for bacterial proteins, pH 4-6 for yeast proteins) and adding coagulants/flocculants before membrane filtration. This pre-treatment causes proteins to precipitate and form flocs that are retained by the membrane, preventing them from passing through into the permeate and thus improving membrane performance and permeate quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses coagulants and flocculants as intermediary substances between the proteins/color compounds and the membrane. These chemicals act as mediators that bind to proteins and color compounds, forming larger aggregates that are easily retained by the membrane filtration system, thereby preventing direct passage of harmful substances through the membrane.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If active carbon treatment is used to remove color compounds, then decolorization is achieved, but product losses increase and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing proteins and color compounds through pH adjustment and coagulation/flocculation before membrane filtration. This pre-removal of color compounds eliminates or reduces the need for subsequent active carbon treatment, thereby minimizing product losses and simplifying the overall process while still achieving effective decolorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes color compounds along with proteins in the pre-treatment stage through coagulation and flocculation. By taking out color compounds early in the process through floc formation and membrane retention, the need for additional active carbon extraction steps is eliminated or reduced, thus reducing product losses.
3Reliability
If centrifugation or filter press is used for biomass separation, then separation is achieved, but additional equipment and process steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the biomass separation function with protein removal and permeate clarification into a single membrane filtration step. By combining pre-treatment (pH adjustment, coagulation, flocculation) with membrane filtration, the process achieves multiple objectives (biomass separation, protein removal, color compound removal) in one operation, eliminating the need for separate centrifugation or filter press equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane filtration system is designed to perform multiple functions: biomass separation, protein removal, and permeate clarification. By making the membrane filtration step universal and multi-functional, the process eliminates the need for multiple specialized equipment pieces, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable separation performance.
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
Significantly improves membrane performance, reduces protein and color components in the permeate, and decreases the amount of active carbon required, leading to lower product losses and more efficient aroma compound recovery.
Implementation Method 1
lowering the pH value of the solution below 7 by adding at least one acid to the solution
Implementation Method 2
adding an adsorbing agent, preferably active carbon, before membrane filtration to enhance membrane performance, reduce protein and color components in the permeate
Implementation Method 3
carrying out a membrane filtration so as to separate the biomass from the solution comprising the at least one aroma compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for separating biomass from a solution comprising bi-omass and at least one aroma compound. comprising providing the solution comprising bio-mass and aroma compounds. 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 aroma compound. adding an adsorbing agent to the solution comprising biomass and aroma compounds. and carrying out first membrane filtration so as to separate the biomass from the solution comprising the at least one aroma compound.