Methods and systems for increasing production of equilibrium reactions

US7888081B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CARGILL, INCORPORATED · US

Inventors

• Anil Khare · Crystal, US
• Brent Hilbert · South Haven, US
• Christopher Solheid · Minneapolis, US
• Sara C. McFarlan · Windom, US
• Fernando A. Sanchez-Riera · South San Francisco, US
• Kent Floy · Minnetonka, US
• Paula M. Hicks · Eden Prairie, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 2007
• Grant date: Feb 15, 2011
• Expiry date: May 23, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D15/3804
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods and systems for increasing the production of equilibrium reactions are described. In some embodiments, a method comprises removing enzymes from a reaction mixture once equilibrium is achieved, selectively re-adding enzymes and reactants for driving the product-forming reaction to product, and optionally recycling stabilized intermediates, by-products and/or co-products back into the reaction mixture. In some embodiments, a method comprises purifying the desired product from a reaction mixture and selectively recycling one or more components of the reaction mixture, such as original reactants, intermediates, co-products or by-products back into the reaction mixture as desired to improve titer. Systems for implementing the methods are also provided. In some embodiments the methods and systems are implemented for increasing the production of monatin and monatin derivatives, produced in multi-step equilibrium pathways.