Fermentation Oil Recovery via Centrifugal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional processes for recovering oil from fermentation products are inefficient, expensive, and often result in low-quality oil with high free fatty acid content, which hampers bio-diesel production and edible applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving enzymatic liquefaction and pH adjustment of the oil fraction to separate high-quality oil with low free fatty acid content, using centrifugal forces and specific enzyme compositions to produce an oil composition suitable for bio-diesel and edible uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional solvent extraction techniques are used to recover oil from fermentation products, then oil recovery is achieved, but the process becomes expensive and requires volatile organic compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts oil from fermentation products using a centrifugal separation process based on density differences, eliminating the need for volatile organic compound solvents. The oil layer is separated from the aqueous fermentation broth through centrifugal force, achieving cost-effective and safe oil recovery without conventional extraction chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical extraction methods with a mechanical centrifugal separation system. Instead of using solvents to dissolve and extract oil, the process uses centrifugal force to physically separate oil droplets from the aqueous phase based on their different densities, substituting chemical processes with a mechanical system
2Quantity of substance
If high amounts of heat are applied to separate oil from fermentation product, then oil separation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation parameter from temperature-based (heat application) to density-based (centrifugal separation). By adjusting centrifugal force parameters and operating conditions rather than applying heat, the process achieves effective oil separation without the high energy consumption associated with thermal processing
3Quantity of substance
If centrifugal force is applied to separate oil from fermented product, then oil separation is attempted, but emulsion forms which locks valuable oil within the emulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary acid treatment to the fermentation broth before centrifugal separation. This preliminary action modifies the emulsion properties and stabilizes the oil droplets, preventing emulsion formation during subsequent centrifugal separation and ensuring reliable oil recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful emulsion formation issue into a beneficial process step by using acid treatment to control emulsion stability. The acid treatment transforms the problematic emulsion state into a favorable condition where oil droplets remain stable and separable, turning a reliability problem into an improvement
4Quantity of substance
If conventional oil recovery processes are used, then oil separation is achieved, but oil quality deteriorates with high free fatty acid content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary acid treatment to neutralize and remove free fatty acids from the oil before centrifugal separation. This preliminary action improves oil quality by reducing free fatty acid content, ensuring the separated oil meets quality standards for bio-diesel and food applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates acid treatment and centrifugal separation into a continuous process flow. The acid treatment continuously neutralizes free fatty acids while the centrifugal separator continuously removes oil droplets, maintaining consistent oil quality throughout the separation process without interruption
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
The method effectively reduces free fatty acid content to less than 5% and improves oil yield, enhancing the quality and efficiency of bio-diesel production while allowing for edible applications with reduced processing costs.
Implementation Method 1
apply a centrifugal force to the fermented product
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the pH of the oil fraction to a level that breaks the emulsion and releases any oil trapped within the emulsion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to oil compositions and methods of producing such oil compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oil composition recovered from a fermentation product as well as methods of recovering such oil compositions for use in various processes such as bio-diesel production as well as in various edible applications.