Invention Reference Number
2,3-butanediol (BDO) is a chemical compound with many industrial uses, including as a biofuel precursor and an additive to aviation fuel. 2,3-BDO can be produced from biomass, making it a more sustainable fuel source, but it must be separated and purified before utilization. By using a novel membrane contractor, this technology enables highly efficient 2,3-BDO separation in a single step, continuous process. This new methodology is both energy efficient and scalable.
Description
2,3-BDO is an organic compound that is becoming more widely recognized as having several possible applications, such as a liquid fuel or fuel additive. 2,3-BDO is produced in low concentrations in a fermentation broth from biological materials. After it is produced, it must be separated and purified for use.
This novel membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction process is more efficient, compared to other methods like multi-stage distillation or evaporation, because it utilizes less energy by the incorporation of a membrane, while not requiring the high temperatures of other separation processes. This eases the separation of 2,3-BDO, which inherently has a high affinity with water and a high boiling point. Additionally, this innovative method is simpler and more cost-effective than the standard extractive separation processes, and it can be scaled. The process’ modular design allows for linear scale-up, with lower chemical usage, waste generation, and energy consumption. The extraction process thus reduces capital and operating costs.
Benefits
- Modular design makes the process scalable
- Energy efficient
- Energy is generated from biomass, rather than fossil fuel
Applications and Industries
- Aviation
- Biorefinery
- Chemical manufacturing
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
