Electrolyte-Enhanced Butanol Extractive Fermentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for in situ butanol recovery in fermentation processes face challenges due to high salt concentrations that can be detrimental to microorganisms, limiting the practical implementation of butanol extraction efficiency and biocompatibility.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a genetically modified microorganism producing butanol in a fermentation medium with an added electrolyte, which increases the butanol partition coefficient, using a water-immiscible organic extractant to form a two-phase mixture, allowing for effective butanol extraction and recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high salt concentrations are used to increase butanol partition coefficient for efficient extraction, then butanol extraction efficiency is improved, but microorganism viability and fermentation performance deteriorate due to osmotic shock

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutanol extraction efficiencyVSAvoidmicroorganism viability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully optimizing the electrolyte concentration to a specific range (0.1-1.0 M) that balances two opposing requirements: it is high enough to significantly increase the butanol partition coefficient and improve extraction efficiency, but low enough to avoid causing osmotic shock to the microorganisms. This quantitative parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between extraction efficiency and microorganism viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If electrolyte concentration is increased to improve butanol partitioning into extractant phase, then separation efficiency is improved, but fermentation process stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidfermentation process stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by precisely controlling the electrolyte concentration parameter within the 0.1-1.0 M range. This optimized parameter level achieves sufficient enhancement of butanol partitioning into the extractant phase for effective separation, while simultaneously maintaining fermentation process stability by preventing excessive salt stress on the microorganisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If salt addition is used to enhance butanol extraction from fermentation broth, then extraction performance is improved, but practical implementation becomes limited due to harmful effects on cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction performanceVSAvoidosmotic shock to cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses this contradiction by optimizing the electrolyte concentration parameter to fall within the 0.1-1.0 M range. This optimized parameter provides sufficient enhancement of butanol extraction performance while remaining below the threshold that causes severe osmotic shock to cells, thereby enabling practical implementation of the extractive fermentation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses electrolytes as intermediary substances that mediate between the fermentation broth and the extractant phase. These electrolytes enhance the partitioning of butanol into the organic extractant phase through salting-out effects, improving extraction performance without directly contacting or harming the microorganisms in the aqueous phase, thus resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and cell viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances butanol extraction efficiency while maintaining biocompatibility, allowing for higher butanol production rates and yields by reducing inhibitory effects on microorganisms and improving the separation process.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electrolyte is present in the fermentation medium at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, and the butanol product is removed by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPartition coefficient enhancement by electrolyte addition: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 2

a genetically modified microorganism that produces butanol from at least one fermentable carbon source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS8969055B2Method for producing butanol using extractive fermentation with electrolyte addition

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 GEVO INC

AI summary

A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one electrolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, is provided. The electrolyte may comprise a salt which dissociates in the fermentation medium, or in the aqueous phase of a biphasic fermentation medium, to form free ions. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.