Abstract: This present invention relates to the processes for the purification of succinic acid from a fermentation broth containing ammonium succinate. The process for the purification of succinic acid described in this invention involves the use of ion exchange resins for splitting the ammonium succinate in the fermentation broth. During the passage of the fermentation broth through a cationic ion exchange resin, the ammonium succinate is split into ammonium cation and the succinate anion. The proton on the resin surface is exchanged for the ammonium ions and the succinate anion is reduced to succinic acid with the protons released from the ion exchange resin. The bound ammonium is released from the resin with the addition of a strong acid such as sulfuric acid and thereby the ion exchange resin is regenerated for subsequent use. The ammonium sulfate by-product resulting from the regeneration step of this process can be used as a source of fertilizer.
Abstract: A process is provided for recovering a first polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from a feed mixture including at least one additional fatty acid (e.g., a second fatty acid (FA)). The process optionally comprises: performing a main step of chromatographic separation using an aqueous organic eluent and collecting a first stream of eluent enriched in the first PUFA and a second stream of eluent enriched in the second FA; subjecting the second stream of eluent to a concentration step to obtain a concentrated portion including the second FA, and a depleted portion comprising eluent, but depleted of the second FA. The water-to-organic ratio of the depleted portion is lower than the water-to-organic ratio of the second stream of eluent. The process also includes: at least partially recycling the depleted portion for use in the main step of chromatographic separation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2014
Assignee:
Group Novasep
Inventors:
Philippe Adam, Eric Valéry, Jean Bléhaut