Method for purifying lactic acid

US6489508B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Brussels Biotech · BE

Inventors

• Frederic Van Gansbeghe · Brussels, BE
• Jean-Christophe Bogaert · Escanaffles, BE
• Etienne Malhaize · Céroux-Mousty, BE
• Martin VAN GANSBERGHE · La Hulpe, BE
• Florence Wolff · Brussels, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 2, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 3, 2002
• Expiry date: Nov 2, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C51/47
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for recuperating and purifying a lactic acid solution obtained initially from a fermentation medium or any other source, consisting in a pre-treatment to eliminate the ion loads capable of catalysing the lactic acid condensation and based on the principle of ion exchange or any other related principle, followed by at least a step of concentration at low temperature and brief retention time and at least a step of distilling the lactic acid using a thin layer process.