BioChem - DOS

Pertraction of volatile fatty acids through biodiesel-based liquid membranes

Chemical engineering journal

Torri, Cristian; Samorì , Chiara; Ajao, Victor; Baraldi, Serena; Galletti, Paola; Tagliavini, Emilio

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are ideal substrates for mixed microbial cultures to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoates. Therefore, VFA pertraction from anaerobic diluted fermentation broths to slightly alkaline aerobic medium becomes a crucial step to develop a closed loop concept in which VFAs are used for polyhydroxyalkanoate production. New liquid membranes (LMs) based on lipophilic amines and biodiesel were proposed for this purpose. The performance of each LM was tested through a VFA distribution coefficient test and pertraction kinetic experiments. The transfer of VFAs from LM to receiving solution was the main limiting step of the process, with flux rates of 0.001&ndash;0.04 cm<SUP>3</SUP> cm<SUP>&minus;2</SUP> h<SUP>&minus;1</SUP> (best LM with 10 wt% of trioctylamine). The biocompatibility of trioctylamine -biodiesel LM towards anaerobic bacteria was confirmed through a 15-d acidogenic fermentation test. Trioctylamine-biodiesel LM was finally tested in a specifically designed continuous pertraction module, where VFA transfer rates of 1&ndash;3 h<SUP>&minus;1</SUP> were achieved.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Trioctylamine/biodiesel LM has the highest VFA transfer rate. </LI> <LI> Trioctylamine/biodiesel LM is not toxic for acidogenic bacteria. </LI> <LI> Fast VFA transfer occurs in a scaled-up pertractor with trioctylamine/biodiesel LM. </LI> <LI> VFA use in PHA production is feasible through trioctylamine/biodiesel LM. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

2019

Elsevier

1385-8947

366

pp.254-263

10.1016/j.cej.2019.02.081

http://click.ndsl.kr/servlet/OpenAPIDetailView?keyValue=05787966&target=NART&cn=NART95389033

Amines; Biodiesel; Pertraction; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Volatile fatty acids