Method for purifying carboxylic acids from fermentation broths

US9422220B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG · DE

Inventors

• Michael Kleiber · Hattersheim, DE
• Ulrike Gnabs · Kelkheim, DE
• Joachim Schulze · Soest, DE
• Shashank Ghanegaonkar · Leipzig, DE
• Helmut Gehrke · Bergkamen, DE
• Marcel Gawenda · Sassenberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2016
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D2311/02
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Method and devices for separating and purifying carboxylic acids from fermentation broths comprising carboxylic acid ammonium salts are disclosed herein. The method includes (a) removing biomass and any solids present from the fermentation broth; (b) preparing a solution comprising the desired carboxylic acid and an additional solution comprising ammonium salts, by carrying out simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB); (c) ultra-purifying the solution comprising the desired carboxylic acid from method step (b); (d) concentrating the purified carboxylic acid solution from method step (c); (e) crystallizing the concentrated carboxylic acid solution from method step (d); and (f) concentrating the additional solution comprising ammonium salts from method step (b). A combination of reverse osmosis and evaporation is carried out in method steps (d) and (f), and the vapor from the evaporation of method step (f) is passed into the evaporation of method step (d).