L-Valine Granule Crystallization via L-Glutamic Acid Addition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for recovering L-valine as crystals, particularly in flaky or fine powder form, face challenges with inefficient solid-liquid separation, prolonged drying times, low specific gravity, and bulkiness, limiting packing efficiency and usable amounts in final products.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the addition of L-glutamic acid to an aqueous L-valine solution at specific concentrations, adjusting the pH to an acidic level, and employing vacuum concentration crystallization to produce L-valine granules with improved size and specific gravity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If L-valine is crystallized using conventional methods, then L-valine can be recovered as crystals, but the crystals are flaky or fine powder form with poor suitability for solid-liquid separation and prolonged drying time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal shapeVSAvoidsolid-liquid separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by adding L-glutamic acid to the crystallization system. This parameter change transforms the crystal morphology from flaky/fine powder to granular form, thereby improving solid-liquid separation efficiency and reducing drying time while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

L-glutamic acid acts as an intermediary substance in the crystallization process. It mediates between the L-valine molecules and the crystallization conditions, directing the formation of granular crystals with improved physical properties for separation and handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If L-valine is crystallized using conventional methods, then L-valine can be recovered as crystals, but the crystals have low specific gravity and are bulky, reducing packing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal shapeVSAvoidpacking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the crystallization parameters through L-glutamic acid addition, the patent achieves granular crystal formation with higher specific gravity. This parameter change directly improves packing efficiency by reducing the bulk volume occupied by the same quantity of L-valine product

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If L-glutamic acid is added to L-valine aqueous solution, then L-valine granules with improved size and specific gravity can be produced, but additional purification steps may be required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranulation efficiencyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of L-glutamic acid (0.5-6.0% by weight relative to L-valine) to achieve effective granulation. By controlling this parameter within a specific range, the process improves productivity while managing the complexity of additional purification requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 efficiently produces L-valine granules with larger particle diameters, enhancing solid-liquid separation and increasing the specific gravity, thus improving handling and production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

adding L-glutamic acid to an aqueous solution containing L-valine so that the amount of L-glutamic acid is 0.5% to 6.0% by weight relative to the L-valine, dissolving the L-glutamic acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution to an acidic level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Implementation Method 3

crystallizing the L-valine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 4

the crystallization of the L-valine is vacuum concentration crystallization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum concentration: Vacuum Distillation

Data Source

PatentEP2757089B1Production method for amino acid
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO LTD
  • EP2757089B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)

AI summary

L-valine granules are produced by adding L-glutamic acid to an aqueous solution containing L-valine so that the amount of L-glutamic acid is 0.5% by weight or more relative to the L-valine, dissolving the L-glutamic acid, then adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution to an acidic level and then crystallizing the L-valine.