Vacuum Distillation for Fermentation Product Recovery
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas fermentation processes face challenges with slow microbial growth, product accumulation leading to inhibitory effects, and loss of viable microorganisms due to traditional recovery methods, which disrupt the fermentation process and require frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum distillation vessel is designed to recover products from a fermentation broth while maintaining microbial viability, utilizing a separation section with multiple theoretical distillation stages and a degassing step to manage gas content, ensuring continuous operation and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional filtration methods are used to recover products, then product recovery is achieved, but viable microorganisms are lost and filter media require frequent cleaning and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by using vacuum distillation to evaporate and condense products based on their volatility differences. The fermentation broth is heated under vacuum to vaporize volatile products, which are then condensed and collected, separating them from non-volatile microbial cells and broth components without physical contact that would damage the microorganisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems with a thermal-based vacuum distillation system. Instead of using filters that physically block and trap microorganisms, the system uses controlled heating and vacuum to selectively vaporize and remove volatile products from the broth, eliminating the need for mechanical filtration that causes cell loss and requires frequent maintenance
2Productivity
If filtration methods are used to remove products, then product accumulation is prevented, but maintenance requirements increase due to filter media cleaning and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum distillation system uses phase transitions (evaporation and condensation) to separate volatile products from the fermentation broth. This thermal separation method eliminates solid filter media that would require cleaning and replacement, as the products are removed in vapor form and condensed separately, leaving the broth and microbial cells in the distillation residue without clogging issues
3Quantity of substance
If traditional recovery processes are used, then product is removed from broth, but microorganism viability is compromised and continuous operation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses vacuum distillation where volatile products are evaporated from the heated broth and then condensed in a separate condenser. This phase transition process selectively removes products based on volatility while the non-volatile microbial cells remain in the liquid residue, which can be continuously recycled back to the fermenter without viability loss, enabling uninterrupted continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vacuum distillation as an intermediary separation process between the fermenter and the final product collection. The distillation system acts as a mediator that removes volatile products from the broth phase while preserving the microbial cells in the liquid phase, allowing the cells to be returned to continuous fermentation without direct contact with product removal mechanisms that would harm them
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 vacuum distillation vessel effectively removes products from the fermentation broth, maintaining microbial viability and preventing accumulation, allowing for continuous fermentation processes with reduced maintenance and increased efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products from a fermentation broth
Implementation Method 2
separation section defining a separation medium for providing a plurality of theoretical distillation stages
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.