Fermented Solid Biocatalyst for Biolubricant Ester Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing biolubricants using enzymatic catalysts are hindered by high costs and lack of processes for transesterification and hydroesterification reactions employing polyhydroxylated alcohols, particularly those utilizing fermented solids from agricultural waste.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the reaction of methyl biodiesel or free fatty acids with polyhydroxylated alcohols, catalyzed by low-cost lipases produced through solid state fermentation using agricultural waste, which reduces production costs and utilizes biomass effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If commercially available enzyme preparations are used for catalysis, then high selectivity and high yields are achieved, but the production cost becomes prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fermented solid from agricultural waste as a disposable catalytic system instead of expensive purified enzymes. The fermented solid contains lipases that catalyze the reaction, and after use, the solid is discarded without needing recovery or regeneration, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining adequate catalytic activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes the active catalytic components (lipases) from the fermented solid matrix for the esterification reaction, separating the useful catalytic function from the complex biological material while eliminating the need for expensive enzyme purification steps
2Ease of manufacture
If fermented solid from agricultural waste is used as catalyst, then production cost is reduced, but the process for transesterification and hydroesterification reactions employing polyhydroxylated alcohols was previously unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The fermented solid catalyst system demonstrates universal applicability by successfully catalyzing multiple reaction types including esterification, transesterification, and hydroesterification reactions with various substrates and polyhydroxylated alcohols, making it a versatile platform for producing different biolubricant esters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes reaction parameters such as temperature, catalyst loading, and reaction time to enable the fermented solid to effectively catalyze different reaction types (esterification, transesterification, hydroesterification) with various substrates, expanding the versatility of the low-cost catalytic system
3Productivity
If chemical catalysts are used for ester production, then the reaction can proceed, but harsh conditions including high temperature and vacuum are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical catalysts that require harsh thermal and pressure conditions with a biocatalytic system (fermented solid containing lipases) that operates under mild physiological conditions, eliminating the need for high temperature and vacuum equipment
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 produces biolubricants with satisfactory physicochemical properties, enhancing economic feasibility and environmental sustainability by utilizing low-cost enzymatic catalysts and agricultural waste, while offering improved viscosity and stability suitable for various lubrication applications.
Implementation Method 1
A process involving the reaction of methyl biodiesel or free fatty acids with polyhydroxylated alcohols, catalyzed by low-cost lipases produced through solid state fermentation
Implementation Method 2
low-cost lipases produced through solid state fermentation using agricultural waste
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for producing esters comprising reaction of methyl biodiesel or free fatty acids with a polyhydroxylated alcohol, in the presence of a biocatalyst, which is a fermented solid containing lipases of Rhizomucor miehei produced by culturing the microorganism on agricultural waste by solid state fermentation.