Abstract: A fermentation process for producing magnesium lactate from a carbon source including the steps of: providing a fermentation medium including a fermentable carbon source in a fermentation reactor; fermenting the fermentation medium by a lactic acid producing microorganism in the presence of an alkaline magnesium salt to provide a fermentation broth including magnesium lactate; and recovering solid magnesium lactate from the magnesium lactate containing fermentation broth, wherein during at least 40% of the operating time of the fermentation process, the concentration of solid magnesium lactate in the fermentation broth is maintained in the range of 5-40 vol. %, calculated as solid magnesium lactate crystals on the total of the fermentation broth. The process allows stable operation at high productivity, in combination with efficient product separation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl, comprising the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing a HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor, wherein the magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor is a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 50 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O. The process accordingly is fast and can be operated in a manner which is efficient both as regards apparatus and energy. It can also be integrated in a process for converting a magnesium chloride solution.

Abstract: A fermentation product manufacturing process includes fermenting under fermentation conditions in an aqueous fermentation medium in a fermentation reactor a carbohydrate source with a microorganism capable of converting the carbohydrate into a fermentation product which is a salt or a product with a boiling point above the boiling point of water, during the process withdrawing part of the medium including biomass from the reactor in the form of a recycle stream, providing the stream including biomass to a pressure vessel wherein the pressure is such that the temperature of the stream decreases 1-8° C., as compared to the temperature of the medium in the reactor, by the evaporation of water, and recycling the cooled recycle stream to the reactor. The process makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous temperature profile of the fermentation medium with limited occurrence of hot or cool spots within the reactor which results in improved fermentation performance.

Abstract: A fermentation process for producing magnesium lactate from a carbon source including the steps of: providing a fermentation medium including a fermentable carbon source in a fermentation reactor; fermenting the fermentation medium by a lactic acid producing microorganism in the presence of an alkaline magnesium salt to provide a fermentation broth including magnesium lactate; and recovering solid magnesium lactate from the magnesium lactate containing fermentation broth, wherein during at least 40% of the operating time of the fermentation process, the concentration of solid magnesium lactate in the fermentation broth is maintained in the range of 5-40 vol. %, calculated as solid magnesium lactate crystals on the total of the fermentation broth. The process allows stable operation at high productivity, in combination with efficient product separation.

Abstract: A fermentation process for producing magnesium lactate from a carbon source including the steps of: providing a fermentation medium including a fermentable carbon source in a fermentation reactor; fermenting the fermentation medium by a lactic acid producing microorganism in the presence of an alkaline magnesium salt to provide a fermentation broth including magnesium lactate; and recovering solid magnesium lactate from the magnesium lactate containing fermentation broth, wherein during at least 40% of the operating time of the fermentation process, the concentration of solid magnesium lactate in the fermentation broth is maintained in the range of 5-40 vol. %, calculated as solid magnesium lactate crystals on the total of the fermentation broth. The process allows stable operation at high productivity, in combination with efficient product separation.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: A fermentation product manufacturing process includes fermenting under fermentation conditions in an aqueous fermentation medium in a fermentation reactor a carbohydrate source with a microorganism capable of converting the carbohydrate into a fermentation product which is a salt or a product with a boiling point above the boiling point of water, during the process withdrawing part of the medium including biomass from the reactor in the form of a recycle stream, providing the stream including biomass to a pressure vessel wherein the pressure is such that the temperature of the stream decreases 1-8° C., as compared to the temperature of the medium in the reactor, by the evaporation of water, and recycling the cooled recycle stream to the reactor. The process makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous temperature profile of the fermentation medium with limited occurrence of hot or cool spots within the reactor which results in improved fermentation performance.

Abstract: A fermentation process for producing magnesium lactate from a carbon source including the steps of: providing a fermentation medium including a fermentable carbon source in a fermentation reactor; fermenting the fermentation medium by a lactic acid producing microorganism in the presence of an alkaline magnesium salt to provide a fermentation broth including magnesium lactate; and recovering solid magnesium lactate from the magnesium lactate containing fermentation broth, wherein during at least 40% of the operating time of the fermentation process, the concentration of solid magnesium lactate in the fermentation broth is maintained in the range of 5-40 vol. %, calculated as solid magnesium lactate crystals on the total of the fermentation broth. The process allows stable operation at high productivity, in combination with efficient product separation.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl, comprising the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing a HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor, wherein the magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor is a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 50 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O. The process accordingly is fast and can be operated in a manner which is efficient both as regards apparatus and energy. It can also be integrated in a process for converting a magnesium chloride solution.