A new hybrid membrane separation process for enhanced ethanol recovery: Process description and numerical studies

Haelssig, Jan B.; Tremblay, André Y.; Thibault, Jules

doi:10.1016/j.ces.2011.10.012

Cited by 30 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Microfiltration [10][11][12] -In microalgae harvesting -To complete the traditional broth mechanical separation -To protect subsequent pervaporation, distillation columns and heat exchangers from fouling -In the treatment of effluent treatment streams Pervaporation [13][14][15][16][17][18] -To reduce the distillation energy consumption, often as hybrid operation -To dewater ethanol after the 95 m% azeotrope…”

Section: Membrane Technique Applicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel sintered metal fiber microfiltration of bio-ethanol fermentation broth

Kang

Baeyens

Tan

et al. 2015

Korean J. Chem. Eng.

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In bio-ethanol fermentation, the broth consists of mainly water and ethanol, together with particulate residues of unreacted feedstock and additives (mostly yeast). Prior to further processing (distillation), and to avoid fouling of heat exchangers and distillation columns, the solids residues of the broth need to be removed to as low a concentration as possible. The current mechanical separation (belt filter or centrifuge) can only remove +10 µm particles representing about 90% of the total solids content. The remaining 10% is usually recovered in the bottom stream of the first distillation column, and forms the stillage that is further treated. To avoid fouling and even eliminate the first distillation column where the ethanol fraction is only increased from 12% (feed) to 16% (top), a better particulate removal is required. Novel sintered metal fiber (SFM) fleeces are highly efficient for microfiltration, and the removal of suspended solids largely exceeds 99%. The paper (i) positions microfiltration in the overall bio ethanol process; (ii) describes the novel sintered metal fiber microfiltration application; (iii) experimentally determines the major operating characteristics of SFM and (iv) predicts the up-scaled operation by using a simplified filtration model. At an ambient feed temperature, the flux of permeate exceeds 5 m 3 /m 2 h for a TMP of 1.5 bar and a yeast concentration of 15 g/l, as commonly encountered in the fermenter broth.

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Section: Membrane Technique Applicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel sintered metal fiber microfiltration of bio-ethanol fermentation broth

Kang

Baeyens

Tan

et al. 2015

Korean J. Chem. Eng.

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“…Membranes, and especially MMMs, can be used to improve other extraction processes (such as liquid-liquid extraction as described above), if this is the most effective, low-cost and efficient route to the separation. Other examples of hybrid membrane processes that have been used in related separations include distillation/pervaporation [ 173 ] and membrane assisted vapour stripping (MAVS) [ 174 ]. MMMs could provide improved performance of the membranes utilized in these processes.…”

Section: Other Examples Of Mmms For Fermentative Separation Applicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybrid and Mixed Matrix Membranes for Separations from Fermentations

2016

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Fermentations provide an alternative to fossil fuels for accessing a number of biofuel and chemical products from a variety of renewable and waste substrates. The recovery of these dilute fermentation products from the broth, however, can be incredibly energy intensive as a distillation process is generally involved and creates a barrier to commercialization. Membrane processes can provide a low energy aid/alternative for recovering these dilute fermentation products and reduce production costs. For these types of separations many current polymeric and inorganic membranes suffer from poor selectivity and high cost respectively. This paper reviews work in the production of novel mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) for fermentative separations and those applicable to these separations. These membranes combine a trade-off of low-cost and processability of polymer membranes with the high selectivity of inorganic membranes. Work within the fields of nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and pervaporation has been discussed. The review shows that MMMs are currently providing some of the most high-performing membranes for these separations, with three areas for improvement identified: Further characterization and optimization of inorganic phase(s), Greater understanding of the compatibility between the polymer and inorganic phase(s), Improved methods for homogeneously dispersing the inorganic phase.

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“…Combination of distillation and pervaporation units in separation processes have shown great convenience for process design, high efficiency in energy-saving, and improved separation performance [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%