Sustainable electrochemical recovery processes for organic acid fractionation
Innovative redox-mediated electrodialysis system enhances organic acid fractionation by using energy-efficient, selective membranes to reduce fouling and improve recovery. Tailored for industrial applications, this system offers a significant reduction in energy consumption.
Overview
This solution focuses on a novel redox-mediated electrodialysis (ED) system specifically designed for the sustainable fractionation of organic acids, ranging from C2 to C6. The technology leverages tailored membrane design and cascade process modeling to enhance selectivity and minimize energy consumption, addressing the challenges of low selectivity and membrane fouling. This approach is particularly relevant for applications involving the recovery of organic acids from fermentation broths, offering a potential reduction in energy consumption by 40-88%.
Technical specifications
- Selective Membrane Design: Utilizes molecular design to achieve selectivity based on organic acid properties such as charge, size, and hydrophobicity.
- Redox-Electrodialysis System: Incorporates reversible redox reactions for reduced energy consumption and improved pH stability.
- Anti-fouling Capabilities: The system is tested for chemical stability and fouling resistance using synthetic fermentation broths.
- Multichannel Prototype: Designed for continuous fractionation, optimized through process modeling and technoeconomic analysis.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating that it has been validated in a laboratory setting. Ongoing efforts include membrane design, system testing, and process optimization aimed at advancing the technology towards industrial application.
About University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign is a flagship public research university with large‑scale research capacity and a broad academic portfolio. An on‑campus Research Park co‑locates corporate R&D teams and startups with faculty, while the National Center for Supercomputing Applications provides advanced computing and data capabilities for collaboration. Integration with a regional health system and an engineering‑based college of medicine enables clinical translation, and a long‑standing extension network links campus innovation to partners statewide. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startups, complemented by incubators and prototyping in the Research Park.
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