Liquid Cation Exchanger for Charged Compound Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring positively charged organic compounds from aqueous solutions to organic phases are inefficient, often requiring direct thermal concentration which is not industrially viable, and are hindered by the compounds' polar nature, leading to low yields and process inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a hydrophobic organic solution with a liquid cation exchanger, such as fatty acids, is used to shift the partition equilibrium, allowing for the efficient removal of positively charged organic compounds from aqueous solutions to a hydrophobic organic phase, minimizing toxicity to biotechnologically relevant microorganisms like E. coli.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If direct thermal concentration is used to concentrate the product from aqueous solution, then the product concentration increases, but the process becomes energy-intensive and industrially unviable
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid cation exchanger acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the transfer of positively charged organic compounds from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. The cation exchanger forms ion pairs with the charged compounds, enabling their extraction into the organic phase without requiring energy-intensive thermal concentration processes.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction with organic solvents is used, then the product is transferred to organic phase, but the partition equilibrium favors the aqueous phase for charged compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by introducing a liquid cation exchanger with specific charge properties. This alters the partition equilibrium by forming ion pairs between the cation exchanger and the positively charged organic compounds, shifting the equilibrium toward the organic phase and improving extraction efficiency.
3Productivity
If hydrophobic organic phases are used to extract charged compounds, then the extraction efficiency improves, but toxicity to microorganisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid cation exchanger serves as a mediator that reduces direct contact between toxic hydrophobic organic solvents and microorganisms. By forming ion pairs and facilitating extraction through a more biocompatible mechanism, the system achieves high extraction efficiency while minimizing solvent toxicity to the biological agents producing the charged compounds.
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 effectively increases the solubility of positively charged compounds in the organic phase, optimizing yield and process efficiency while reducing the toxic effects on biological agents, thereby enhancing the biotechnological synthesis of compounds like 12-aminolauric acid and its derivatives.
Implementation Method 1
Partitioning a compound in a two-phase system comprising an aqueous, hydrophilic phase and an organic, hydrophobic phase which are immiscible, depends substantially on the physicochemical properties of the particular compound
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic organic solution which comprises a liquid cation exchanger, where the liquid cation exchanger is hydrophobic, and where the liquid cation exchanger has one or more negative charges and an overall negative charge
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a process for removing an organic compound having one or more positive charges from an aqueous solution, comprising the steps a) provision of the aqueous solution comprising the organic compound and of a hydrophobic organic solution which comprises a liquid cation exchanger, where the liquid cation exchanger is hydrophobic, and where the liquid cation exchanger has one or more negative charges and an overall negative charge, b) contacting the aqueous solution and the organic solution, and c) separating off the organic solution from the aqueous solution.