Recovery of volatile fatty acids from fermenter effluents and their conversion to liquid fuels


Citation

Smith, B. Russel and Playne, Martin J. (1982) Recovery of volatile fatty acids from fermenter effluents and their conversion to liquid fuels. [Proceedings Paper]

Abstract

The separation of products from fermentation broths has always demanded ingenuity and creativity in the formulation of economically viable processes. This is especially true for the volatile fatty acid (VFA) fermentation, where the product value is relatively low, compared with that, say, of an antibiotic. Of the conventional separation processes, only liquid/liquid extraction with complexing reagents seems to offer any promise, because of the small differences in volatility between VFA and water. This operation is complicated, however, by the formation of very stable emulsions, with the consequence that high solvent and reagent losses occur. Our work has concentrated on the development of the selective dialysis membranes to effect VFA recovery. These membranes are made from synthetic polymers, and incorporate carrier reagents which facilitate the diffusion of VFA from the fermenter effluent into an alkaline solution. The literature in this area is reviewed, and our work described. The advantages and problems associated with the membrane separation approach are discussed. The conversation of the fatty acid salts to other chemicals and liquid fuels is considered, with special emphasis on ketone fuels. Estimates of the process cost and product yield from waste substrates to ketone fuels are present.


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Abstract

The separation of products from fermentation broths has always demanded ingenuity and creativity in the formulation of economically viable processes. This is especially true for the volatile fatty acid (VFA) fermentation, where the product value is relatively low, compared with that, say, of an antibiotic. Of the conventional separation processes, only liquid/liquid extraction with complexing reagents seems to offer any promise, because of the small differences in volatility between VFA and water. This operation is complicated, however, by the formation of very stable emulsions, with the consequence that high solvent and reagent losses occur. Our work has concentrated on the development of the selective dialysis membranes to effect VFA recovery. These membranes are made from synthetic polymers, and incorporate carrier reagents which facilitate the diffusion of VFA from the fermenter effluent into an alkaline solution. The literature in this area is reviewed, and our work described. The advantages and problems associated with the membrane separation approach are discussed. The conversation of the fatty acid salts to other chemicals and liquid fuels is considered, with special emphasis on ketone fuels. Estimates of the process cost and product yield from waste substrates to ketone fuels are present.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Proceedings Paper
Additional Information: Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia TP501 A816 1982 Call number.
AGROVOC Term: volatile fatty acids
AGROVOC Term: liquid fuels
AGROVOC Term: biofuels
AGROVOC Term: organic wastes
AGROVOC Term: fermentation
AGROVOC Term: microorganisms
AGROVOC Term: fermenters
AGROVOC Term: sustainability
AGROVOC Term: greenhouse gases
Geographical Term: Australia
Depositing User: Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited: 17 Oct 2024 09:27
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2024 09:27
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/765

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