L-Threonine Recovery via Nonsolvent Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering L-threonine from fermentation broth result in low yield and poor flowability due to needle-shaped crystals, leading to reduced productivity and product quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving filtration, concentration, and drowning-out crystallization with a nonsolvent to produce spherical L-threonine crystals, improving recovery yield and flowability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If concentration-crystallization method is used to recover L-threonine, then crystalline L-threonine can be obtained, but the recovery yield is low due to high solubility in mother solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystallization parameter from temperature-based evaporation to nonsolvent addition. By adding a nonsolvent (such as ethanol or isopropanol) to the L-threonine solution, the solubility of L-threonine is dramatically reduced, causing it to crystallize out of solution. This parameter change allows for much higher recovery yields (90% or more) compared to conventional evaporation methods, as the nonsolvent method minimizes the amount of L-threonine remaining in the mother solution.
2Ease of operation
If conventional crystallization is used, then L-threonine crystals are formed, but they are needle-shaped with poor flowability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystallization conditions by introducing a nonsolvent system, which fundamentally alters the crystal growth mechanism. Instead of forming needle-shaped crystals through slow evaporation, the rapid supersaturation caused by nonsolvent addition promotes the formation of spherical or granular crystals. These spherical crystals have excellent flowability and handling properties, directly addressing the poor flowability issue of conventional needle-shaped crystals.
3Productivity
If needle-shaped L-threonine crystals are produced, then crystallization can proceed, but agglomeration occurs increasing slurry viscosity and reducing separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the crystallization method from evaporation-based to nonsolvent-based, the patent alters the crystal morphology from needles to spheres. Spherical crystals do not interlock or agglomerate like needle-shaped crystals, resulting in lower slurry viscosity and significantly improved separation efficiency. The nonsolvent method allows for faster and more efficient solid-liquid separation, directly enhancing productivity.
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 achieves high recovery yield and excellent flowability of spherical L-threonine crystals, enhancing product handling and reducing transportation costs.
Implementation Method 1
reacted with a nonsolvent to crystallize L-threonine
Implementation Method 2
crystallization proceeds at a high temperature, and a large amount of L-threonine is dissolved in the filtrate, i.e, the mother solution
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method of recovering L-threonine from the fermentation broth of an L-threonine producing microorganism, comprising: separating microbial bodies from the L-threonine containing fermentation broth obtained by culturing an L-threonine producing microorganism and filtering the separated fermentation broth to obtain a filtrate; concentrating the filtrate; and reacting the concentrated filtrate with a nonsolvent to obtain crystalline L-threonine, crystalline L-threonine recovered by the method, and a feed additive containing the crystalline L-threonine recovered by the method.