PHA Filtration via pH and Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PHA production methods face challenges with low filtrate permeability and high leakage ratios during filtration, which inefficiencies require significant energy for water evaporation and result in impurities remaining in the final product.
Innovation Solution
A novel PHA production method that controls the pH of the aqueous PHA suspension, air permeability of the filter medium, amount of PHA surface adhesion protein, and liquid density to achieve specific filtrate permeability and leakage ratios, enabling efficient filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional filtration methods are used for PHA production, then the filtration process can be completed, but the filtrate permeability is low and the leakage ratio is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the pH of the aqueous PHA suspension (2.5-5.5), the air permeability of the filter medium (0.01-5.0 cc/cm2/sec), the amount of PHA surface adhesion protein (not more than 2,000 ppm), and the liquid density (0.50-1.08 g/mL). These parameter optimizations enable the filtration process to achieve both high filtrate permeability (at least 200 L/m2/hr) and low leakage ratio (no more than 5%), resolving the technical contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
2Productivity
If filtration is performed with poor efficiency, then the filtration process can be completed, but significant energy is required for water evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the parameters (pH, air permeability, protein content, liquid density) to achieve efficient filtration with high filtrate permeability and low leakage ratio, the patent reduces the amount of water that needs to be evaporated to achieve the desired PHA purity. This directly decreases the energy consumption for water evaporation while maintaining high filtration efficiency.
3Productivity
If conventional filtration is used, then the filtration process can be completed, but impurities remain in the final product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the pH (2.5-5.5), air permeability (0.01-5.0 cc/cm2/sec), PHA surface adhesion protein content (not more than 2,000 ppm), and liquid density (0.50-1.08 g/mL) to achieve optimal filtration conditions. These parameter optimizations enable the filtration process to effectively separate PHA from impurities, achieving both filtration completion and high product purity (leakage ratio of no more than 5%).
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 achieves efficient filtration with a filtrate permeability of at least 200 L/m2/hr and a leakage ratio of no more than 5%, reducing energy consumption and improving the purity of the PHA product.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration step of subjecting, to dead-end filtration, an aqueous PHA suspension
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a PHA production method which enables efficient filtration. The above problem is solved by providing a PHA production method including a filtration step of subjecting, to dead-end filtration, an aqueous PHA suspension having a pH of 2.5 to 5.5 with use of a filter medium having an air permeability of 0.01 cc/cm2/sec to 5.0 cc/cm2/sec, the aqueous PHA suspension containing PHA surface adhesion protein in an amount of not more than 2,000 ppm, the aqueous PHA suspension having a liquid density of 0.50 g/mL to 1.08 g/mL in the filtration step.