Kinetics and mass transfer for lactic acid recovered with anion exchange method in fermentation solution

AbstractAn anion exchange method for lactic acid recovered from lactic acid–glucose solution in an ion‐exchange membrane‐based extractive fermentation system was examined. The exchange isotherms of anion exchange resins for lactic acid recovered were measured batchwise, and the exchange–desorption kinetics of lactic acid passing through the exchange column was investigated. The determined typical breakthrough and elution curves were measured and simulated by conventional mode. The mass transfer coefficients were identified by numberical method. The effects of the velocity of the fluid on the dynamics were studied. Aqueous NaOH solution was found to be the best solvent for elution. An experiment on anioun exchange from clarified lactic acid fermentation broth was carried out to obtain knowledge of the performance of the ion exchange system from a borth. The ion‐exchange mass‐transfer coefficient and efficiency from the fermentation broth is found to be lower when compared with aqueous solutions of pure lactic acid. The results show that the separation method with anion exchange resins may be used in the production of lactic acid by fermentation.© 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.