Phosphate Recovery from Bone via Microbial Fermentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing phosphates from organic materials, such as bone, are inefficient and costly due to the need for large amounts of acid and equipment, and do not effectively utilize microbial fermentation for improved phosphate extraction from agricultural waste.
Innovation Solution
A two-step process involving microbial fermentation of organic materials, followed by acid treatment to solubilize phosphates, using a mixed bacterial population and optimal conditions for fermentation and acid treatment to reduce acid consumption and enhance phosphate recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If acid treatment is applied to bone materials to solubilize phosphates, then phosphate extraction is achieved, but the amount of acid required increases due to the presence of bone protein matrix
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary fermentation treatment to bone materials before acid solubilization. Microorganisms are used to decompose the organic protein matrix in advance, which removes the substance that consumes acid without contributing to phosphate release. This preliminary action reduces the acid demand in the subsequent extraction step while maintaining phosphate recovery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the organic protein matrix from bone materials through microbial fermentation before performing acid treatment. By taking out the interfering organic components separately, the process allows acid to act more efficiently on the inorganic phosphate minerals without being consumed by protein decomposition, thereby reducing overall acid consumption.
2Productivity
If strong base hydrolysis is used to pre-treat organic material before fermentation, then phosphate solubilization is improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and complex strong base pre-treatment with a simpler, more economical microbial fermentation process. Microorganisms serve as natural, inexpensive catalysts that can decompose organic matter under mild conditions, eliminating the need for costly base hydrolysis equipment and chemical handling infrastructure while achieving comparable or better phosphate release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from extreme conditions (strong base, high temperature) to milder biological conditions (microbial fermentation at ambient or moderate temperatures). This parameter change simplifies the process equipment requirements and reduces operational complexity while maintaining effective organic matter decomposition and phosphate solubilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional acid production and reaction methods are used for fertilizer manufacturing, then phosphate fertilizer can be produced, but manufacturing cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs microorganisms to naturally produce organic acids during fermentation of bone materials. These self-produced acids then serve to solubilize phosphates from the same material being processed. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external acid production and import, reducing manufacturing costs and avoiding the environmental burden of acid production and waste disposal associated with traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the organic matter decomposition step with the phosphate solubilization step by using microbial fermentation to simultaneously break down proteins and generate acids that release phosphates. This combination of functions into a single biological process eliminates separate acid production and waste treatment stages, reducing both cost and environmental impact.
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 effectively reduces the amount of acid required for solubilization, increases phosphate recovery, and produces a biofertilizer with valuable micronutrients, improving the efficiency and sustainability of phosphate production from agricultural waste.
Implementation Method 1
fermenting an organic material in a medium in the presence of at least one microorganism, wherein the fermenting is under conditions, and for a sufficient period of time, to produce a fermentation product
Implementation Method 2
treating solids of the fermentation product with acid, in a medium to solubilize phosphates from the fermentation product
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a process for producing phosphate from an organic material, the method including the steps of(a) fermenting an organic material in a medium in the presence of at least one microorganism, wherein the fermenting is under conditions, and for a sufficient period of time, to produce a fermentation product;(b) treating the solids of the fermentation product with acid, in a medium, e.g., aqueous medium, to solubilize phosphates from the fermentation product; wherein the organic material, and thus the solids of the fermentation product, includes bone suitable for extraction of phosphates.