Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The weight ratio in the first phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant. The first phase can be removed from the separated second phase in order to recover the 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The weight ratio in the first phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant. The first phase can be removed from the separated second phase in order to recover the 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying an aqueous feed stream comprising a product organic acid, such as lactic acid, and a strong contaminant, such as pyruvic acid or oxalic acid. The molar concentration of the product organic acid in the feed stream typically is at least 20 times greater than the molar concentration of the strong contaminant. The aqueous feed stream is contacted with a first immiscible basic extractant that has at least a 3-fold greater affinity for the strong contaminant than for the product organic acid. The majority of the strong contaminant and some product organic acid become complexed with the first immiscible basic extractant. The complexed first immiscible basic extractant is separated from the aqueous stream, thereby producing a first effluent stream that comprises product organic acid and that has a greater ratio of molar product organic acid to molar strong contaminant than the aqueous feed stream did.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the recovery of 1,3-propanediol from an aqueous feed stream. The present invention involves contacting an aqueous feed stream that comprises water, 1,3-propanediol, and at least one contaminant with at least one solvent extractant to form a mixture. The mixture is separated into a first phase and a second phase. The second phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed stream. The first phase comprises solvent extractant and at least some of the 1,3-propanediol that was present in the aqueous feed stream. The weight ratio in the first phase of 1,3-propanediol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of 1,3-propanediol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed stream prior to the aqueous feed stream being contacted with the solvent extractant. The first phase can be removed from the separated second phase in order to recover the 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying an aqueous feed stream comprising a product organic acid, such as lactic acid, and a strong contaminant, such as pyruvic acid or oxalic acid. The molar concentration of the product organic acid in the feed stream typically is at least 20 times greater than the molar concentration of the strong contaminant. The aqueous feed stream is contacted with a first immiscible basic extractant that has at least a 3-fold greater affinity for the strong contaminant than for the product organic acid. The majority of the strong contaminant and some product organic acid become complexed with the first immiscible basic extractant. The complexed first immiscible basic extractant is separated from the aqueous stream, thereby producing a first effluent stream that comprises product organic acid and that has a greater ratio of molar product organic acid to molar strong contaminant than the aqueous feed stream did.

Abstract: A process for the production and isolation of lactic acid is provided. A lactate feed solution, preferably obtained from a fermentation broth is combined with and extracted by a water-immiscible base in the presence of an acidifying agent. Lactic acid is recovered from the resulting organic phase. Recovered carbonate or bicarbonate from the aqueous phase can be recycled to the fermentor and regenerated extractant can be recycled for use in the extraction.

Abstract: A process for the production and isolation of lactic acid is provided. A lactate feed solution, preferably obtained from a fermentation broth is combined with and extracted by a water-immiscible base in the presence of an acidifying agent. Lactic acid is recovered from the resulting organic phase. Recovered carbonate or bicarbonate from the aqueous phase can be recycled to the fermentor and regenerated extractant can be recycled for use in the extraction.

Abstract: A process for the production and isolation of lactic acid is provided. A lactate feed solution, preferably obtained from a fermentation broth is combined with and extracted by a water-immiscible base in the presence of an acidifying agent. Lactic acid is recovered from the resulting organic phase. Recovered carbonate or bicarbonate from the aqueous phase can be recycled to the fermentor and regenerated extractant can be recycled for use in the extraction.

Abstract: A process for the production of lactic acid and for the separation and/or recovery of lactic acid from a lactate feed solution. A lactate feed solution preferably obtained from a fermentation broth is combined with and extracted by a water immiscible trialkyl amine in the presence of carbon dioxide. Lactic acid is recovered from the resulting organic phase. Recovered carbonate or bicarbonate from the aqueous phase is preferably recycled to the fermentor and regenerated extractant is preferably recycled for use in the extraction.

Abstract: A process for the production of lactic acid and for the separation and/or recovery of lactic acid from a lactate feed solution. A lactate feed solution preferably obtained from a fermentation broth is combined with and extracted by a water immiscible trialkyl amine in the presence of carbon dioxide. Lactic acid is recovered from the resulting organic phase. Recovered carbonate or bicarbonate from the aqueous phase is preferably recycled to the fermentor and regenerated extractant is preferably recycled for use in the extraction.

Abstract: A process for the production of lactic acid and for the separation and/or recovery of lactic acid from a lactate feed solution. A lactate feed solution preferably obtained from a fermentation broth is combined with and extracted by a water immiscible trialkyl amine in the presence of carbon dioxide. Lactic acid is recovered from the resulting organic phase. Recovered carbonate or bicarbonate from the aqueous phase is preferably recycled to the fermentor and regenerated extractant is preferably recycled for use in the extraction.

Abstract: In the production of citric acid aqueous mother liquor originating from a lime/sulfuric acid process is subjected to a multi-stage counter-current extraction with an amine based organic extractant. A solution of a further amount of citric acid derived from direct extraction of a citric acid fermentation broth is judicously injected into the organic phase stream in the counter-current extraction and a combined extract is withdrawn from the operation. This extract can be subjected to any known treatment for the recovery of citric acid values.

Abstract: The known liming sulfuric acid process for the recovery of crystalline citric acid from a fermentation broth is modified by subjecting the mother liquor from the crystallization to extraction with a water-immiscible organic extraction that contains an amine. The resulting extract is neutralized with a recycled brine with alkali citrate and alkali citrate is crystallized from the concentrated brine obtained this way.

Abstract: Recovery of citric acid from a citric acid fermentation broth.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing permeable polymeric membranes comprising decomposing, in a polymeric matrix, molecular moieties, bound to the polymer or contained in compounds dispersed therein, into smaller, discrete, molecular units, whereby the smaller, discrete molecular units, which are formed, spontaneously leave the polymeric matrix and a membrane of defined permeation characteristics is obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for removing fluorine compounds from aqus phosphoric acid containing the same, which process comprises contacting the phosphoric acid with a water insoluble extractant comprising phosphoric acid and an oil soluble amine, the amine being substantially water insoluble both in free and in salt form and the extractant being substantially free of fluorine, sulfate and metal impurities. The invention also provides an extractant for use in the above process comprising an oil soluble amine, which amine is substantially water insoluble both in free and in salt form and a phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Organic acids, such as citric acid, malic acid and lactic acid, can be extracted from aqueous solutions thereof by contacting such solutions with a mixture of a water immiscible amine and a water immiscible organic acid dissolved in a suitable water immiscible solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of phosphatic products having a very low fluorine content from wet process phosphoric acid.According to the invention the fluorine in the wet process phosphoric acid is removed in the form of potassium fluosilicate, by the reaction of its fluoride components with KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 formed insitu from KCl or K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and an amine phosphate salt, the latter resulting from phosphoric acid and an amine selected from the group consisting of a primary--secondary--or tertiary aliphatic amine, a quaternary ammonium base or mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable amines and quaternary ammonium bases are: tri-n-octylamine, ethyl di-n-octylamine, di-n-dodecylamine, di-n-decylamine, tricaprylamine, tri-iso-octylamine etc. The amine constituent appears in the form of a water-immiscible liquid, preferably in conjunction with an organic solvent in which the aliphatic amines and their salts are soluble.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of a strong mineral acid from other species present in an aqueous solution and the recovery thereof. The process comprises the steps of: (a) bringing an aqueous solution containing the mineral acid to be separated into contact with a substantially immiscible extractant phase, whereupon the mineral acid to be separated selectively and reversibly transfers to the extractant phase; (b) separating the two phases; and (c) backwashing the extractant phase with an aqueous system to recover substantially all the mineral acid contained in the extractant phase. The special extractant phase used comprises a strong organic acid which acid is oil soluble and substantially water immiscible both in free and in salt form, an oil soluble amine which amine is substantially water insoluble both in free and in salt form and a carrier solvent for the organic acid and amine, the molar ratio of the organic acid to amine in the extractant phase being between about 0.5:2 and 2:0.5.

Abstract: Acids are recovered from their aqueous solution by an extraction process comprising a first extraction stage at which the aqueous solution is contacted with a water-immiscible extractant comprising a water-immiscible organic solvent and, dissolved therein, at least one secondary or tertiary amine in which the aggregate number of carbon atoms is at least 20; and a back-extraction stage in which the organic extract, separated from the original aqueous solution, is stripped with an aqueous liquid at a temperature which is higher by at least 20.degree. C. than the temperature of the first extraction stage. The stripped extractant can be recycled to the first extraction stage for making the process continuous, and if so recycled, is cooled on its way to the extraction stage. A preferred field of application is the recovery of organic acids produced by fermentation from the fermentation broth, e.g. citric acid.