Nanofiltration Membrane Separates Butanol from Fermentation Impurities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing butanol, such as acetone-butanol fermentation, face high costs due to expensive substrates and purification processes, and existing separation methods like distillation and solvent extraction are inefficient, leading to contamination and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a nanofiltration membrane with a polyamide functional layer, specifically a cross-linked piperazine polyamide, to separate butanol from a butanol-containing solution, followed by reverse osmosis and distillation under controlled pressure, effectively removing impurities and reducing distillation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distillation is used to purify butanol from fermentation broth, then butanol can be concentrated, but large amounts of water must be distilled off due to low butanol concentration, increasing energy consumption and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary concentration action by using a nanofiltration membrane to pre-concentrate butanol from the fermentation broth before distillation. This preliminary action reduces the water content that needs to be evaporated in the subsequent distillation step, thereby reducing energy consumption while achieving the desired butanol purity
2Manufacturing precision
If solvent extraction is used to separate butanol, then separation can be achieved, but distribution of butanol into the organic phase is difficult due to high water solubility, requiring special extraction solvents or multistep extraction, increasing process complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex solvent extraction mechanical system with a nanofiltration membrane separation system. The membrane-based separation achieves butanol concentration and purification without requiring special extraction solvents or multiple extraction steps, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining separation efficiency
3Productivity
If fermentation broth is directly distilled without purification, then distillation can proceed, but sugars, amino acids, side metabolites and other impurities are heated to yield by-products that contaminate the distillate, reducing product purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary purification action by using a nanofiltration membrane to remove impurities such as sugars, amino acids, and side metabolites from the fermentation broth before distillation. This preliminary removal of impurities prevents their decomposition and contamination of the distillate, ensuring high product purity while maintaining distillation throughput
4Adaptability or versatility
If acetone-butanol fermentation is used to produce butanol, then renewable production method is achieved, but cost of substrate and purification is high, increasing production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional energy-intensive distillation and complex solvent extraction systems with a nanofiltration membrane separation system. This substitution significantly reduces the energy consumption and operational costs of the purification process, making acetone-butanol fermentation economically viable while maintaining its advantage as a renewable production method
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 method enables the production of high-purity butanol at a lower cost by efficiently removing impurities like metal catalysts, inorganic salts, and sugars, thereby enhancing distillation efficiency and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
filtering a butanol-containing solution through a nanofiltration membrane
Implementation Method 2
the nanofiltration membrane has a functional layer containing a polyamide
Implementation Method 3
the method further comprises the step of filtering the collected butanol-containing solution through a reverse osmosis membrane
Implementation Method 4
the method further comprises the step of distilling the collected butanol-containing solution under a pressure of not less than 1 Pa and not more than atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 5
distilling the collected butanol-containing solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing butanol, which has a step of removing impurities contained in a butanol-containing solution, is provided. In the method, a butanol-containing solution is filtered through a nanofiltration membrane. Then the butanol-containing solution is collected from the permeate flow of the nanofiltration membrane.