Membrane contactor based liquid-liquid extraction process for biofuel separation

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for the recovery of 2,3-butanediol (BDO) from an aqueous fermentation broth. The method includes directing an aqueous phase along the lumen side or the shell side of a plurality of hydrophobic hollow fibers while simultaneously directing an organic phase along the other of the lumen side or the shell side of the plurality of hollow fibers. The aqueous phase includes a fermentation broth containing BDO, water, and impurities, and the organic phase is initially composed entirely of an organic solvent, the organic solvent being immiscible in water and having an affinity for BDO. The organic solvent continuously recovers BDO from the fermentation broth, the BDO being a precursor for aviation fuels and other applications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.