Extraction

By using microporous membranes, the phase boundary between two liquid phases is clearly defined and immobilized. This means that the two liquids no longer have to be mixed together and separated again after extraction.

Whether citric acid, lactic acid or succinic acid - none of the carboxylic acids are obtained on an industrial scale from the starting material of the same name. Instead, microorganisms perform this task during fermentation processes. As acids are produced during this process, the process must be buffered. In the end, an identical amount of gypsum is produced in addition to the acid. 

With our membrane-based extractors, it is now possible to extract these and other carboxylic acids directly from the fermentation broth without any by-products - emulsion-free, with a high yield, without blocking and with very simple purification. The process is the result of extensive research work that has already won several prizes: 

• Christian Wandrey Prize / Research Center Jülich 
• SGVC Swiss Society of Process and Chemical Engineers, "Prix SGVC for young talents" 
• ProcessNet - an initiative of Dechema and VDI-GVC, Extraction Division, "Best Poster Award" 2019 and 2020