Process to remove product alcohol from a fermentation by vaporization under vacuum
First Claim
1. A method for removing a product alcohol from a fermentation liquid, comprising:
- (a) at least partially vaporizing a fermentation liquid feed wherein a vapor stream is produced, the fermentation liquid feed and the vapor stream each comprising an amount of water, a product alcohol and CO2; and
(b) contacting the vapor stream with an absorption liquid under vacuum conditions wherein at least a portion of the vapor stream is absorbed into the absorption liquid to form an absorption liquid phase,wherein the portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed includes an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol, and the CO2, andwherein the temperature at onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid is greater than the temperature at onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid, andwherein heat of absorption generated by the contacting step (b) is used in the vaporizing step (a) at least partially vaporizing the fermentation liquid feed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for removing a product alcohol from a fermentation liquid, comprising:
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(a) at least partially vaporizing a fermentation liquid feed wherein a vapor stream is produced, the fermentation liquid feed and the vapor stream each comprising an amount of water, a product alcohol and CO2; and (b) contacting the vapor stream with an absorption liquid under vacuum conditions wherein at least a portion of the vapor stream is absorbed into the absorption liquid to form an absorption liquid phase, wherein the portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed includes an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol, and the CO2, and wherein the temperature at onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid is greater than the temperature at onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid, and wherein heat of absorption generated by the contacting step (b) is used in the vaporizing step (a) at least partially vaporizing the fermentation liquid feed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification