Abstract: A process for producing lactic acid is provided. The process comprises (a) reacting a stream rich in saccharide with sodium hydroxide in the presence of water to produce a reaction mixture comprising sodium lactate; (b) reacting at least a portion of the sodium lactate with HCl to produce lactic acid and sodium chloride; (c) converting at least a portion of the sodium chloride to chlorine and sodium hydroxide; and (d) recycling at least a portion of the sodium hydroxide produced in step (c) to step (a). Also provided are processes for the production of alkyl lactate, oligomeric lactic acid, lactide, alkyl lactyllactate, poly-lactic acid, propylene glycol and acrylic acid.

Abstract: A process for producing lactic acid is provided. The process comprises (a) reacting a stream rich in saccharide with sodium hydroxide in the presence of water to produce a reaction mixture comprising sodium lactate; (b) reacting at least a portion of the sodium lactate with HCl to produce lactic acid and sodium chloride; (c) converting at least a portion of the sodium chloride to chlorine and sodium hydroxide; and (d) recycling at least a portion of the sodium hydroxide produced in step (c) to step (a). Also provided are processes for the production of alkyl lactate, oligomeric lactic acid, lactide, alkyl lactyllactate, poly-lactic acid, propylene glycol and acrylic acid.

Abstract: An anaerobic process uses a continuous oscillatory flow reactor (1) having a reaction tube with baffles (7) along its length. Fluid material is introduced into the tube through a circulating loop (41) and control valve (28) configuration. The fluid comprises the following components: a finely divided substrate material, e.g. of ground straw, and facultative and/or obligate anaerobic organisms such as rumen organisms. The fluid material passes through the tube at a speed that allows anaerobic fermentation to take place, and is caused to oscillate with respect to the baffles. The microbial biomass, extra-cellular enzymes and liquid and gaseous fermentation end-products can be collected at outlets (5, 9). The oscillating-flow system can be used to grow obligately anaerobic microorganisms and is ideal for fermentation processes because of its thorough mixing at low shear force and controllable conditions.