Polyhydroxyalkanoate Aggregation by Turbulent Flow Without Flocculants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) particles face challenges such as high energy consumption, complex processes, and reduced purity due to the use of organic solvents, water, or flocculants, which hinder industrial-scale production.
Innovation Solution
Achieve turbulent flow state in the PHA suspension to promote rapid aggregation, eliminating the need for organic solvents and flocculants, and enabling efficient particle size increase without reducing purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If organic solvent extraction method is used to extract PHA particles, then the extraction efficiency is improved, but the production environment becomes dangerous and solvent recovery becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes organic solvents from the extraction process entirely, replacing them with water-based systems. This eliminates the harmful effects of organic solvents while maintaining extraction efficiency through alternative mechanisms such as cell disruption followed by PHA aggregation and filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or easily degradable reagents and materials in the extraction process, replacing expensive and hazardous organic solvents with water-soluble alternatives that can be easily disposed of or degraded, thereby eliminating safety concerns while maintaining extraction effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical crushing method is used to extract PHA particles, then the extraction is simplified, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or cyclic processing steps including controlled freezing-thawing cycles, pH adjustments, and intermittent mixing to enhance cell disruption and PHA aggregation. These periodic actions reduce the need for continuous high-energy mechanical crushing while achieving effective extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical and chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, and ionic strength to facilitate cell disruption and PHA aggregation. By adjusting these parameters, the process achieves effective extraction without requiring high-energy mechanical crushing operations.
3Productivity
If sodium hypochlorite-surfactant method is used to extract PHA particles, then the extraction effectiveness is improved, but the molecular weight of PHA is seriously damaged and wastewater treatment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts potentially harmful substances into beneficial ones by using mild, water-soluble reagents that do not damage PHA molecular structure. Instead of using sodium hypochlorite and surfactants that harm PHA, the process employs water-based extraction with controlled pH and ionic strength adjustments that maintain PHA integrity while achieving effective extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controlled changes in pH, ionic strength, and temperature to facilitate PHA extraction without damaging molecular weight. By adjusting these parameters, the process achieves effective extraction while preserving PHA polymer integrity, avoiding the molecular damage caused by strong chemicals.
4Ease of operation
If PHA particles are made smaller to facilitate separation, then the separation is easier, but the particles become too small to be filtered or centrifuged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic aggregation processes where PHA particles dynamically assemble into larger aggregates through controlled mixing, pH adjustments, and ionic strength changes. This dynamic aggregation enables particles to grow to filterable sizes while maintaining ease of separation through the same dynamic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in pH, ionic strength, and temperature to control PHA particle aggregation and size. By adjusting these parameters, the process optimizes particle size for effective filtration and centrifugation while maintaining separation ease through controlled conditions.
5Manufacturing precision
If large amount of water is used to wash PHA particles, then the purity is improved, but the wastewater volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in pH, ionic strength, and temperature to enhance PHA aggregation and purification efficiency. By optimizing these parameters, the process achieves high purity with reduced water usage, as the controlled conditions promote complete aggregation and separation in fewer washing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous aggregation and purification processes where PHA particles continuously aggregate and separate through controlled conditions. This continuous action eliminates the need for multiple discrete washing steps with large water volumes, achieving high purity through sustained, efficient purification.
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
The method allows for large-scale industrial production of high-purity PHA aggregates with simplified processes, reduced energy consumption, and minimal waste generation.
Implementation Method 1
making a polyhydroxyalkanoate suspension reach and maintain a turbulent flow state so as to agglomerate the polyhydroxyalkanoate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the technical field of bioengineering, and specifically relates to a preparation method for a polyhydroxyalkanoate aggregate. The preparation method for a polyhydroxyalkanoate aggregate provided in the present invention comprises the step of making a polyhydroxyalkanoate suspension reach and maintain a turbulent flow state so as to agglomerate polyhydroxyalkanoate. By means of the preparation method of the present invention, a polyhydroxyalkanoate aggregate having a particle size of 50 μm or above can be prepared, and the prepared polyhydroxyalkanoate aggregate has relatively high purity and yield. The method has mild process conditions, simple steps and simple wastewater treatment, low cost, low requirements regarding equipment, and can realize large-scale industrial production.