Integrated reactive extraction for recovery of biotechnologically produced succinic acid

Tanja Kurzrock, doctoral thesis Technische Universität München, 2010

Fermentative production of succinic acid from renewable resources can be achieved with high yields, but efficient separation processes are not available so far. To this end, reaction engineering analyses were performed to isolate and purify bio-succinic acid with a three-step separation process. New reactive extraction systems were identified and optimized for extraction of succinic acid. The application of selected reactive extraction systems (amines and organic solvents) in centrifugal contactors allowed for a fast extraction and back-extraction of succinic acid from an aqueous fermentation broth. Crystalline succinic acid was recovered with a purity of 99.5 % after evaporation crystallization of the back extraction solution. The overall yield was up to 93 % succinic acid with the integrated separation process. Amines and solvents can be recycled with nearly no loss.

Publications

• Kurzrock T, Schallinger S, Weuster-Botz D (2011): Integrated separation process for isolation and purification of bio-succinic acid. Biotechnol Prog 27: 1623-1628.
• Kurzrock T, Weuster-Botz D (2011): New reactive extraction systems for separation of bio-succinic acid. Bioproc Biosys Eng 34: 779-787.
• Kurzrock T, Weuster-Botz D (2010): Recovery of succinic acid from fermentation broth. Biotechnol Lett 32: 331-339.