Butanol Extraction Using Dimethyl Ether Extractant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting butanol from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths, are energetically and economically inefficient, often requiring distillation steps and using solvents like carbon dioxide with low distribution coefficients, which offer no energy advantage over traditional distillation processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fermentation process with a butanol-producing organism, where a carbon source, nitrogen source, and extractant are combined to form a fermentation medium, followed by extraction with an extractant that forms two phases, allowing for selective separation of butanol, utilizing dimethyl ether or similar solvents with specific solubility parameters to achieve high butanol recovery without the need for distillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional distillation methods are used to separate butanol from water, then separation is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third component (extractant such as dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, or light paraffin oil) as an intermediary substance to facilitate the separation of butanol from water. This extractant forms a selective phase that preferentially dissolves butanol, enabling separation without the high energy input required by traditional distillation. The intermediary substance mediates the interaction between butanol and water, allowing efficient separation at lower temperatures.
2Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is used as extractant, then extraction is performed, but distribution coefficient is low (0.1)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extractant by selecting substances with specific properties: dimethyl ether and methyl ethyl ether with boiling points below 20°C and specific Hansen solubility parameters, or light paraffin oils with carbon chains of 5-12 atoms. These parameter changes result in distribution coefficients significantly higher than 0.1, enabling efficient butanol extraction. The specific parameter selection optimizes the extractant's ability to preferentially dissolve butanol over water.
3Temperature
If light paraffin oil is used to extract ethanol, then extraction is achieved, but process temperature must be 30-115°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by operating at ambient or near-ambient conditions, eliminating the need for heating to 30-115°C. The selected extractants (dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, light paraffin oil) maintain effective extraction performance at lower temperatures, significantly reducing the energy input required for the extraction process while achieving the same separation efficiency.
4Productivity
If extractant is separated from extract, then butanol recovery is improved, but additional separation step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the typically harmful or wasteful co-extraction of water into a beneficial feature. The extractant selectively forms a phase enriched in both butanol and water, but the process design accepts this co-extraction and then separates the extractant from the aqueous phase containing most of the water. This approach, which initially seems to complicate the process, actually simplifies the overall separation by avoiding the need for high-energy distillation steps and enabling efficient butanol recovery through the extractant recycling loop.
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 method achieves high butanol extraction yields with reduced energy consumption and economic costs by recycling the extractant and using it to form a butanol-rich organic phase, while maintaining the viability of the organism in high extractant concentrations, thus enhancing the efficiency of butanol production.
Implementation Method 1
contacting said broth with an extractant to form an extract and a raffinate, wherein said extract comprises said extractant, butanol and water
Implementation Method 2
fermenting said medium with a butanol producing organism to form a broth comprising butanol
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods, systems and apparatuses to the energy efficient and selective extraction of biomolecules, e.g., small organic compounds, e.g., one or more C3-C9 alcohols, one or more C3-C5 carboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, from an aqueous solution, particularly aqueous solutions containing the alcohol in dilute or low concentrations, for example, fermentation broths.