Production of organic acids by electrodialysis/pervaporation process.
Lactate esters produced from carbohydrates have potential markets as nontoxic replacements for halogenated and toxic solvents and as feedstocks for large-volume chemicals and polymers. Argonne National Laboratory has developed a novel process for the production of high-purity lactate esters from carbohydrates. The process uses advanced electrodialysis and pervaporation technologies to overcome major technical barriers in product separation; more specifically, the process involves cation elimination without the generation of salt waste and efficient esterification for final purification. This patented process requires little energy input, is highly efficient and selective, avoids the large volumes of salt waste produced by conventional processes, and significantly reduces manufacturing costs. The enabling membrane separation technologies make it technically and commercially feasible for lactate esters to penetrate the potential markets.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- EE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 942602
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ES/JA-32872; MTECEP; TRN: US200920%%11
- Journal Information:
- Membr. Technol., Vol. 1999, Issue 109 ; May 1999; ISSN 0958-2118
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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