Lipid Recovery via Gas Sparging Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating liquid hydrocarbons and lipids from fermentation mixtures are inefficient, often requiring additional steps like decanting and centrifugation after foam separation, which complicates the process and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the injection of gas into a secondary vessel to enhance phase-separation of the aqueous and product phases, controlling gas flow rate and bubble size to separate the liquid product phase efficiently from the aqueous medium, thereby forming distinct layers for easier recovery of the hydrocarbon or lipid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flotation using dissolved carbon dioxide is used to separate lipid and hydrocarbon from fermentation mixture, then separation is achieved, but additional steps like decanting and centrifugation are still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines foam separation with gas sparging in a single integrated process. Gas bubbles are injected directly into the fermentation broth to attach to lipid/hydrocarbon droplets, forming foam that rises and separates in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate decanting and centrifugation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the separation function from multiple sequential steps and consolidates it into a single foam separation process. By using gas sparging to directly attach to product droplets and form foam, the harmful emulsion stabilization is removed and product separation is achieved in one step.
2Productivity
If gas is injected into fermentation mixture to promote phase separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but emulsion formation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls gas injection parameters including flow rate, bubble size, and injection timing to optimize separation while preventing emulsion formation. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves efficient phase separation without creating stable emulsions that would hinder separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic gas sparging rather than continuous injection. Gas is injected in controlled pulses or periods, allowing foam to form and separate during active injection, then allowing settling during non-injection periods. This periodic action prevents excessive mixing that would create stable emulsions while maintaining high separation efficiency.
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 allows for a more controlled and efficient separation of the liquid product phase from the aqueous phase, reducing cream formation and enhancing coalescence, resulting in a product layer comprising at least 90 wt.% of the liquid hydrocarbon or lipid, which can be recovered effectively.
Implementation Method 1
applying microbubbles and forming a foam layer, such that the intracellular components attach to the microbubbles and float upwards toward the surface of the aqueous solution
Implementation Method 2
flotation of the BHC using dissolved carbon dioxide and other components in the fermentation gas
Implementation Method 3
promoting phase-separation of the aqueous and product phase by injecting a gas into the second mixture
Implementation Method 4
enhancing coalescence, resulting in a product layer comprising at least 90 wt.% of the liquid hydrocarbon or lipid
Implementation Method 5
a composition comprising a surfactant, host cells and a bio-organic compound is heated from below to above a phase inversion temperature of the composition, thereby destabilizing the emulsion
Implementation Method 6
the intracellular components attach to the microbubbles and float upwards toward the surface of the aqueous solution
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention is directed to a method for recovering a lipid or hydrocarbon from a fermentation mixture, comprising the steps of - providing a fermentation mixture wherein the lipid or hydrocarbon is produced by microbial fermentation in a fermentation vessel, which mixture comprises an aqueous phase and a liquid product phase, wherein the liquid product phase comprises the lipid or hydrocarbon; and - feeding at least part of the aqueous phase and part of the liquid product phase to a second vessel, thereby forming a second mixture; and - promoting phase-separation of the aqueous and product phase by injecting a gas into the second mixture, thereby separating the product phase from the aqueous phase; and - collecting the product phase comprising the lipid or hydrocarbon.