PHB Resin Separation Using Low-Calcium Water for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polyhydroxybutyrate produced by existing separation methods is easily colored and has low thermal stability, leading to reduced molecular weight when heated at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the disruption or solubilization of microbial cells containing polyhydroxybutyrate using water with a calcium ion concentration of 4.5 mg/L or less, followed by separation, utilizing chemical and physical treatments, and membrane filtration to produce a polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin with improved color tone and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional separation methods (alkali addition with high-pressure disruption or enzyme/surfactant treatment) are used to separate polyhydroxybutyrate from microbial cells, then the polyhydroxybutyrate can be obtained, but the obtained polyhydroxybutyrate is easily colored and has low thermal stability with reduced molecular weight when heated at high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the separation medium by using water with controlled calcium ion concentration (0.01-10 mg/L) and specific pH conditions. This parameter change prevents calcium ion-induced coloring and maintains thermal stability, resolving the contradiction between obtaining polyhydroxybutyrate and preventing coloration/molecular weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces water with controlled calcium ion content as an intermediary medium between the microbial cells and the polyhydroxybutyrate separation process. This intermediary water prevents direct contact between calcium ions and polyhydroxybutyrate, thereby preventing coloring and maintaining thermal stability during separation.
2Ease of manufacture
If water with high calcium ion concentration is used in cell disruption and separation processes, then the processes can be performed with standard water, but the polyhydroxybutyrate becomes colored and loses thermal stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the water parameter (calcium ion concentration) to a specific range (0.01-10 mg/L) to balance ease of manufacture with thermal stability. This controlled parameter change allows standard water to be used while preventing calcium ion-induced coloring and molecular weight reduction.
3Productivity
If high temperature heating is applied to the polyhydroxybutyrate, then the polyhydroxybutyrate can be processed, but the molecular weight is reduced and thermal stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by using calcium ion-controlled water during the separation process to prevent coloring and molecular weight reduction before the polyhydroxybutyrate is subjected to high temperature processing. This preventive measure allows subsequent high temperature processing without compromising thermal stability.
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 produces polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin with good color tone and high thermal stability, maintaining molecular weight even at high temperatures, and allows for efficient water reuse through treatment and recycling.
Implementation Method 1
disrupting or solubilizing microbial cells containing a polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin
Implementation Method 2
membrane filtration to produce a polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for producing a polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin. The method includes (a) disrupting or solubilizing microbial cells containing a polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin, and (b) separating the polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin from a composition obtained by the process (a). The process (a) and the process (b) use water with a calcium ion concentration of 4.5 mg/L or less. The water used in the process (a) and the process (b) is preferably obtained by subjecting wastewater that is discharged from the production process of the polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin to microbial anaerobic and aerobic treatments, subsequently pre-filtration by a membrane bioreactor process, and further filtration with a calcium ion removal membrane. This method provides the polyhydroxybutyrate-based resin with good color tone and high thermal stability.