Design of reactive extraction systems for bioproduct recovery

• Published in: AIChE journal Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 514 - 526
• Main Authors: Pai, Rajaram A., Doherty, Michael F., Malone, Michael F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.03.2002; Wiley Subscription Services; American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Others; Various methods and equipments
• ISSN: 0001-1541; 1547-5905
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.690480310

Liquid‐liquid extraction, combined with chemical reaction, can improve overall yields of product. Reactive extraction is an alternative for separations in bioprocessing, for example, for the production of carboxylic acids such as lactic or citric acid, alcohols such as ethanol, or antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporin or streptomycin. A method for the design of reactive extraction cascades was used for the recovery of Penicillin G and for lactic acid from aqueous mixtures using mixtures of organic solvents with reactive amines as extractants. Effects of such variables as residence time, flow rates, pH, number of stages and amine concentration are quantified. Designs capable of essentially complete recovery are reported.