Semipermeable Membrane Ethanol Extraction System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high energy costs and environmental impact associated with distillation in ethanol production from fermentation broths are due to the high heat capacity of water and the azeotrope formation between ethanol and water, making it difficult to separate them efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a semipermeable membrane to extract ethanol from an aqueous fermentation broth into an organic solvent, which includes a fermentation vessel, solids separation means, a membrane module with a selectively permeable membrane, and a decanter for recycling components, allowing continuous operation and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If distillation is used to separate ethanol from fermentation broth, then ethanol can be recovered, but high energy costs are incurred due to the high heat capacity of water and azeotrope formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts ethanol from the fermentation broth using a selective membrane that allows ethanol to pass through while retaining water and other broth components. This extraction process replaces the traditional distillation method, eliminating the need for high-energy heating and avoiding the azeotrope formation problem, thereby significantly reducing energy costs while maintaining effective ethanol separation
Solution Approach 2:
The selective membrane acts as an intermediary between the fermentation broth and the receiving phase. This membrane mediator enables selective ethanol transport based on its smaller molecular size compared to water, facilitating separation without requiring the high thermal energy input that causes azeotrope formation in distillation
2Reliability
If distillation is used to separate ethanol from water, then ethanol can be recovered, but the process is inefficient due to azeotrope formation and similar boiling points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical distillation system with a membrane-based separation system. Instead of using heat and phase change mechanics that are limited by azeotrope formation and similar boiling points, the system uses selective permeability mechanics where the membrane physically allows ethanol molecules to pass while blocking water molecules, achieving both high reliability and productivity in ethanol separation
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional distillation is used, then ethanol can be separated from broth, but production costs increase due to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts ethanol using a selective membrane that operates at ambient or mild temperatures, eliminating the need for the high-energy heating process required by distillation. This extraction approach directly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective ethanol recovery, thereby lowering overall production costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation parameter from thermal energy input (distillation) to selective permeability (membrane filtration). This parameter change allows ethanol separation to occur without high temperature and pressure conditions, significantly reducing energy consumption and production costs while maintaining separation effectiveness
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 system efficiently extracts ethanol from the fermentation broth, reducing energy costs and carbon footprint by leveraging selectively permeable membranes to separate ethanol from water, thereby lowering production costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of extraction solvent containing the organic compound from the membrane module
Implementation Method 2
extracting solvent are recycled within the system... transfer the compound from the aqueous fermentation broth into an organic solvent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a system and method for producing an organic compound using fermentation wherein multiple components of the system are recycled within the system. The system and method allow for extraction of a high concentration of the organic compound from the fermentation broth in a continuous system that allows recycling of the biomass, aqueous fermentation broth and extraction solvents. The system and method are particularly well adapted for producing and extracting ethanol.