Clarification of 1,3-Propanediol Fermentation Broths by Using a Ceramic Fine UF Membrane.

Wirginia Tomczak,Marek Gryta

doi:10.3390/membranes10110319

Abstract

This work examined the use of a ceramic fine ultrafiltration (UF) membrane for the pre-treatment of 1,3-propanodiol (1,3-PD) fermentation broths. It has been demonstrated that the membrane used provides obtaining a high-quality, sterile permeate, which can be sequentially separated by other processes such as nanofiltration (NF) and membrane distillation (MD). Special attention was paid to the impact of the operational parameters on the membrane performance. The series of UF experiments under transmembrane pressure (TMP) from 0.1 to 0.4 MPa and feed flow rate (Q) from 200 to 400 dm3/h were performed. Moreover, the impact of the feed pH, in the range from 5 to 10, on the flux was investigated. It has been demonstrated that for fine UF, increasing the TMP is beneficial, and TMP equal to 0.4 MPa and Q of 400 dm3/h ensure the highest flux and its long-term stability. It has been shown that in terms of process efficiency, the most favorable pH of the broths is equal to 9.4. An effective and simple method of membrane cleaning was presented. Finally, the resistance-in-series model was applied to describe resistances that cause flux decline. Results obtained in this study can assist in improving the cost-effectiveness of the UF process of 1,3-PD fermentation broths.

Highlights

This work examined the use of a ceramic fine ultrafiltration (UF) membrane for the pre-treatment of 1,3-propanodiol (1,3-PD) fermentation broths
It can be concluded that the adjustment of the feed pH can cause a change in the interactions between feed and membrane, leading to a significant enhancement of ceramic membrane performance during the UF process of 1,3-PD fermentation broths
The increasing of Rt with the increase of transmembrane pressure (TMP) equal to 0.4 MPa and Q of 200 dm3 /h

Summary

Introduction

This work examined the use of a ceramic fine ultrafiltration (UF) membrane for the pre-treatment of 1,3-propanodiol (1,3-PD) fermentation broths. 1,3-PD is widely used as a monomer for the chemical synthesis of polyethers, polyurethanes and polyesters [1,2,3,4,5,6,7] It is applicable in the production of different materials, such as composites, detergents, lubricants, laminates and coatings [8,9]. Since chemical synthesis of 1,3-PD is expensive and environmentally unfriendly [1,6,8,12,13,14], many efforts have been made to investigate its production through microbiological bioconversion, which allows the use of renewable feedstock and provides no generation of toxic by-products. Crosse et al [16], in their recently published review article, have pointed out that almost 20% of all scientific papers pertaining to crude glycerol mention 1,3-PD

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