IBE Fermentation Acetone Recycling for Higher Isopropanol Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IBE fermentation processes produce acetone as a by-product, which limits the yield of alcohols like isopropanol, and there is a need for a more efficient process to convert acetone to alcohol and improve sugar-to-alcohol conversion rates.
Innovation Solution
A process involving IBE fermentation with Clostridium strains that naturally convert acetone to isopropanol by recycling and reassimilating the co-produced acetone within the fermentation medium, using a bioreactor system with acetone separation and recycling steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional IBE fermentation is performed to produce alcohols, then isopropanol, butanol and ethanol are produced, but acetone accumulates as a by-product which limits the yield and economic viability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful acetone by-product into a beneficial resource by recycling it back to the fermentation reactor where Clostridium bacteria convert it to additional isopropanol. This transforms the waste accumulation problem into a productivity enhancement opportunity, directly resolving the contradiction between alcohol yield and acetone loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding acetone as waste, the patent implements a recovery system where acetone is separated, concentrated, and recycled back to the fermentation process. This closed-loop approach recovers the substance that would otherwise be lost, converting it into valuable isopropanol and improving overall process efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If acetone is removed from the fermentation broth, then alcohol purity is improved, but the process complexity and cost increase due to additional separation and purification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where acetone is continuously monitored, separated, and returned to the fermentation reactor for conversion. This closed-loop feedback system maintains alcohol purity by preventing acetone accumulation while optimizing the use of separation equipment, avoiding the need for overly complex purification trains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the fermentation process by introducing recycled acetone at controlled concentrations (e.g., 5-20 g/L) and adjusting fermentation conditions to optimize isopropanol production. This parameter optimization allows for simpler separation requirements compared to complete acetone removal.
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 process enhances isopropanol yield by 4-6% and improves sugar-to-alcohol conversion rates, offering economic benefits through efficient acetone conversion to isopropanol.
Implementation Method 1
a fermentation step using a reaction section comprising at least one bioreactor wherein an IBE-type fermentation is carried out in the presence of a strain of Clostridium
Implementation Method 2
the reduction of acetone to isopropanol using a particular strain of Clostridium
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for producing alcohols comprising:a. an IBE-type fermentation step in at least one bioreactor (R1) in the presence of a natural strain microorganism, and fed at least with an aqueous solution (1) of C5 and/or C6 sugars and a recycled acetone stream (3), in order to produce fermentation gases and a fermentation broth containing fermentation products;b. a step of recovering the fermentation products, in order to obtain a stream of fermentation products (2);c. a step of treating the stream of fermentation products comprising an acetone separation section in order to produce at least an acetone effluent (3) and an aqueous alcohol effluent (4);d. a step for recycling at least a fraction of the acetone effluent (3) from step c) to step a).