Two-Compartment Bipolar Electrodialysis for Lactobionic Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrodialysis methods for converting lactobionate salts to lactobionic acid face significant challenges due to membrane fouling caused by lactobionate anions, leading to reduced productivity and increased costs associated with membrane cleaning and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A two-compartment cation bipolar electrodialysis assembly is designed to remove conjugate cations from lactobionate salts without allowing lactobionate anions to cross the membrane, significantly reducing fouling and maintaining high output rates of purified lactobionic acid over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional electrodialysis methods are used to convert lactobionate salts to lactobionic acid, then the conversion process can proceed, but membrane fouling occurs due to lactobionate anions crossing the membrane, leading to reduced productivity and increased operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodialysis cell is divided into three compartments: an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a middle compartment containing the lactobionate salt solution. This segmentation prevents lactobionate anions from reaching and fouling the membranes by confining them to the middle compartment, while still allowing the conversion of lactobionate salts to lactobionic acid to proceed in the anode compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
A porous barrier or filter paper is introduced as an intermediary component between the middle compartment and the anode compartment. This intermediary allows ions to pass through while physically blocking lactobionate anions from reaching the anode and membranes, thus preventing fouling while maintaining the electrodialysis conversion process.
2Manufacturing precision
If ion exchange methods are used to purify lactobionic acid, then high purity can be achieved, but large quantities of expensive ion exchange resins are required and they need regular recharging producing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical ion exchange resin system with an electrical field-based electrodialysis system. Instead of using resins that require chemical recharging and eventual disposal, the system uses electric fields to drive ion migration across selective membranes, eliminating the need for resin replacement and reducing chemical waste.
3Productivity
If electrodialysis systems are used to replace conjugate cations with hydrogen ions, then the process can be more efficient, but membrane fouling reduces productivity over time requiring cleaning and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to preliminarily prevent fouling by blocking lactobionate anions from reaching the membranes in the first place, rather than dealing with fouling after it occurs. The porous barrier is positioned to intercept anions before they can deposit on membrane surfaces, maintaining productivity without requiring periodic cleaning interruptions.
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 approach effectively reduces membrane fouling, allowing for sustained high productivity and reducing the need for frequent membrane cleaning and replacement, thereby lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The bipolar membrane operable to separate water into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions
Implementation Method 2
a cation exchange membrane that selectively permits passage of the conjugate cations from the salt stream into the hydroxide stream
Implementation Method 3
the conjugate cations from the salt stream combine with the hydroxide ions to form a caustic stream... The hydrogen ions combine with the lactobionate anions to form a stream of purified lactobionic acid
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of making lactobionic acid are described. The systems include two-compartment cation bipolar electrodialysis assemblies having at least one cell that includes a cation ion-exchange membrane and a bipolar membrane. The membranes define the borders of a pair of flow channels for a separate (i) caustic stream and (i) purified lactobionic acid stream. Lactobionate ions in the lactobionic acid stream do not cross a membrane in the electrodialysis assembly, which reduces membrane fouling. The methods include passing a lactobionate salt through a two-compartment cation bipolar electrodialysis assembly. The electrodialysis assembly includes at least one two-compartment cation bipolar membrane cell, and separates the lactobionate salt into a caustic compound and the lactobionic acid. The assembly is designed so the lactobionate ions do not cross an ion exchange membrane in the assembly to form the lactobionic acid, which reduces membrane fouling.