Phytase Enzyme Treatment for Ethanol Deposit Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ethanol processing equipment experiences insoluble organometallic salt deposits due to phytic acid precipitation with soluble metals, leading to impaired heat transfer and production interruptions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adding a phytase enzyme to ethanol-processing fluids to convert phytic acid salts into soluble inorganic phosphates, which can be easily removed, thereby reducing deposition and improving metal solubility within processing equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phytic acid is present in ethanol-processing fluids, then metal solubility is reduced and insoluble organometallic salt deposits form on equipment, but adding chelating agents or acids to prevent deposits may increase cost or affect product quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment operation continuityVSAvoidinsoluble deposit formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Phytase enzyme acts as an intermediary substance that converts phytic acid into inorganic phosphates and inositol, thereby eliminating the harmful interaction between phytic acid and metals that causes insoluble deposits, while avoiding the need to add chelating agents or acids that could affect product quality or increase costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical form of phosphorus from organic phytic acid to inorganic phosphates through enzymatic hydrolysis, fundamentally altering the chemical parameters of the system to prevent deposit formation while maintaining metal solubility and avoiding contamination from alternative additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If scale deposits form on processing equipment, then heat transfer and flow are impeded, but removing deposits requires production interruptions and cleaning operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveethanol processing throughputVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Phytase enzyme is added to ethanol-processing fluids to preliminarily convert phytic acid into inorganic phosphates before insoluble organometallic salt deposits can form on equipment surfaces, preventing the development of scale that would impede heat transfer and flow, thereby maintaining productivity without requiring production interruptions for cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The enzymatic conversion of phytic acid to inorganic phosphates is performed in advance during the processing operation, proactively eliminating the source of deposit formation before it can affect heat transfer efficiency or require costly cleaning interruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If phytic acid precipitates with soluble metals, then insoluble deposit forms on equipment surfaces, but conventional cleaning methods are ineffective against tenacious deposits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit removal easeVSAvoiddeposit tenacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful tenacious organometallic salt deposits into beneficial soluble inorganic phosphates and inositol through phytase-catalyzed hydrolysis, transforming a difficult-to-remove contaminant into easily removable soluble substances that can be flushed from equipment without requiring aggressive or complex cleaning procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 approach effectively prevents or reduces the formation of insoluble deposits on equipment, ensuring uninterrupted ethanol processing by maintaining metal solubility and facilitating the removal of soluble residues.

Implementation Method 1

adding an enzyme with phytase activity to the ethanol-processing fluids after fermentation; converting the phytate to orthophosphate by action of the enzyme

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

converting phytic acid salts or phytates to inorganic phosphates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

improve metal solubility and reduce deposition within processing equipment; the inorganic phosphates and inositol produced by the reaction are soluble and do not form deposits on processing equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubility enhancement: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS11788106B2Reducing insoluble deposit formation in ethanol production

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 KURITA AMERICA INC

AI summary

The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that phytic acid tenaciously precipitates with soluble metals in food or fuel ethanol-processing fluid, producing insoluble organometallic salt deposit or scale on the processing equipment that must be removed in order to facilitate further ethanol processing. The present invention relates to converting phytic acid salts or phytates to inorganic phosphates to improve metal solubility and reduce deposition within processing equipment.