Methyl Methacrylate Production via Solvent Extraction and Transesterification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing methyl methacrylate (MMA) rely on chemical synthesis from fossil fuel-derived ethylene, which is costly and hazardous, and microbial fermentation faces challenges due to the toxicity of higher alkyl methacrylates to biocatalysts, inhibiting cell growth and leading to cell death.
Innovation Solution
A fermentation process that produces C3-C12 methacrylate esters, which are then transesterified with methanol to produce MMA, using genetically modified microorganisms to enhance production and resistance to toxicity, and employing a solvent extraction phase to separate and purify the esters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical synthesis from fossil fuel-derived ethylene is used to produce MMA, then production cost and hazard reduction are improved, but reliance on crude oil and feedstock pricing volatility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of feedstock origin from fossil fuel-derived ethylene to renewable biomass-derived sugars. This parameter change enables production from diverse renewable sources (agricultural crops, forestry residues, municipal waste) rather than crude oil, thereby reducing reliance on crude oil while maintaining safe production conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microorganisms as biological intermediaries that convert renewable sugars into methacrylate esters through fermentation. These microorganisms serve as mediators between renewable feedstocks and the target chemical product, enabling a sustainable production pathway that avoids both hazardous chemicals and crude oil dependency
2Adaptability or versatility
If microbial fermentation is used to produce higher alkyl methacrylates, then renewable feedstock utilization is improved, but cell growth and survival worsen due to toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the toxic higher alkyl methacrylate esters from the fermentation medium using an organic solvent system. By continuously removing the toxic products during fermentation, the concentration of toxic substances in the medium is kept below inhibitory levels, thereby maintaining cell growth and survival while still producing the desired esters from renewable feedstocks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful toxicity of higher alkyl methacrylates into a beneficial separation mechanism. The toxicity that previously inhibited cell growth is now exploited to drive product partitioning into the organic phase, where the esters can be continuously removed and later converted to MMA without harming the fermentation process
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 produces MMA with improved reaction rates and reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, overcoming toxicity issues and achieving efficient extraction and conversion of methacrylate esters to MMA.
Implementation Method 1
providing an organic phase in contact with the fermentation medium, said organic phase including C3-C12 methacrylate ester in a higher concentration than that in the fermentation medium
Implementation Method 2
providing a microorganism in a fermentation medium, under conditions which said microorganism will produce a C3-C12 methacrylate ester
Implementation Method 3
transesterifying the removed C3-C12 methacrylate ester with methanol, optionally after separation from the organic phase, to produce methyl methacrylate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the production of methyl methacrylate. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) providing a microorganism in a fermentation medium, under conditions which said microorganism will produce a C3-C12 methacrylate ester; b) providing an organic phase in contact with the fermentation medium, said organic phase including C3-C12 methacrylate ester in a higher concentration than that in the fermentation medium; c) removing organic phase containing the said C3-C12 methacrylate ester from contact with the fermentation medium; and d) transesterifying the removed C3-C12 methacrylate ester with methanol, optionally after separation from the organic phase, to produce methyl methacrylate.