Production and recovery of organic acids
US5766439A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/803
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is described for producing organic acids such as lactic acid. The process includes the steps of producing lactic acid by fermentation, resulting in an aqueous fermentation broth containing lactic acid, and adding a calcium base, such as calcium carbonate, to the fermentation broth, thereby producing calcium lactate in the broth. Biomass is removed from the broth, thereby leaving an aqueous solution or dispersion of calcium lactate. The calcium lactate is reacted with a source of ammonium ions, such as ammonium carbonate, or a mixture of ammonia and carbon dioxide, thereby producing an ammonium lactate. Contaminating cations can be removed by ion exchange. The free lactic acid or a derivative thereof can be separated from the ammonium ions, preferably by salt-splitting electrodialysis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.