1,4-Diaminobutane Purification via pH Adjustment and Distillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing 1,4-diaminobutane through fermentation result in low concentration and require toxic compounds or expensive catalysts, and there is a need for an effective purification method to obtain high-purity 1,4-diaminobutane from fermentation solutions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving concentration of the fermentation solution, adjustment of pH to 12 or higher with a base, and subsequent distillation to recover high-purity 1,4-diaminobutane, which includes removing solvent and optionally bacterial cells to enhance purification and yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If 1,4-diaminobutane is produced through fermentation, then toxic compounds and expensive catalysts are eliminated, but the concentration of 1,4-diaminobutane in the fermentation solution is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoxic compounds and expensive catalystsVSAvoidconcentration of 1,4-diaminobutane
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts 1,4-diaminobutane from the fermentation solution through a multi-step process: first concentrating the fermentation solution to increase diamine concentration, then adjusting pH to precipitate salts, filtering to remove precipitates, and finally distilling to obtain high-purity 1,4-diaminobutane. This extraction process separates the desired product from the dilute fermentation medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical and chemical parameters of the fermentation solution to enable purification. Specifically, it adjusts pH from neutral to basic (pH 12 or higher) to precipitate diamine salts, then uses distillation to separate 1,4-diaminobutane based on volatility differences. These parameter changes transform the dilute fermentation solution into high-purity product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional purification methods are used, then the process is simple, but high-purity 1,4-diaminobutane cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification process complexityVSAvoidpurity of 1,4-diaminobutane
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the purification process into distinct sequential stages: concentration of fermentation solution, pH adjustment to precipitate salts, filtration to remove precipitates, and distillation to obtain pure product. Each stage addresses a specific purification need, and the combination of these segmented steps achieves high purity that single methods cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the fermentation solution is concentrated and pH is adjusted, then high-purity 1,4-diaminobutane is obtained, but the process requires multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of 1,4-diaminobutaneVSAvoidnumber of purification steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple purification functions into an integrated process flow where concentration, pH adjustment, precipitation, filtration, and distillation work together synergistically. The concentration step increases efficiency of subsequent steps, pH adjustment enables selective precipitation, and distillation provides final purification. This merged approach achieves high purity while maintaining practical processability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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-purity 1,4-diaminobutane with high yield by concentrating the fermentation solution, adjusting the pH, and recovering it through distillation, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by eliminating toxic compounds and expensive catalysts.

Implementation Method 1

concentrating a fermentation solution including at least one of 1,4-diaminobutane and a salt thereof and optionally bacterial cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

adding a base to the concentrate of the fermentation solution to prepare an basic composition having a pH 12 or higher

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Implementation Method 3

recovering 1,4-diaminobutane from the basic composition by distillation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Data Source

PatentEP2910543B1Method for purifying 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,4-diaminobutane purified by said method, and polyamide prepared therefrom
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP
  • EP2910543B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A purification method of 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,4-diaminobutane purified using the purification method, and a polyamide prepared using the purified 1,4-diaminobutane are provided. The purification method of 1,4-diaminobutane includes: concentrating a fermentation solution including at least one of 1,4-diaminobutane and a salt thereof to obtain a concentrate; adding a base to the concentrate of the fermentation solution to prepare an basic composition having a pH 12 or higher; and recovering 1,4-diaminobutane from the basic composition.