Processes for converting biomass into high-value products

A method of extracting one or more carboxylic acids from an aqueous fermentation broth comprising:

• (a) contacting the broth with carbon dioxide under pressure to form a first stream comprised of an acidified mixture of carboxylic acids and carbonate salts;
• (b) contacting in a first contactor the first stream with a liquid extractant comprising a weak base to form a third stream comprising carboxylic acid-base complex;
• and
• (c) breaking the carboxylic acid-base complex through heat in a separator to recover the weak base and form a fourth stream comprising carboxylic acids.

A method of extracting one or more carboxylic acids from an aqueous fermentation broth, comprising:

• (a) contacting the broth with carbon dioxide under pressure to acidify the broth and form a mixture comprising carboxylic acids and carbonate salts;
• (b) introducing the acidified broth to a membrane-based liquid-liquid contactor where it is contacted with a CO2 switchable liquid extractant comprising a base to extract the carboxylic acids into an organic phase and form a carboxylic acid-base complex;
• (c) exposing the organic phase to heat and/or gas stripping in a regeneration unit to release the carboxylic acids and recover the extractant;
• and
• (d) recycling the regenerated extractant back to the membrane-based contactor.