Optimization of electro-dialysis with bipolar membranes (EDBM) for the production of itaconic acid (IA)

Abstract:
Nowadays fuels are mainly made from crude oil consequently they are running low. To preserve the remaining reserves the fuel production has to be shifted to more sustainable processes. Therefore Biofuel production gains importance and is researched in the Excellence-Cluster “Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass” at the RWTH Aachen University. Itaconic acid (IA) can be produced by fermentation and is used as a platform chemical for biofuel production. As one step in the continuous production of IA, EDBM is used as a purifying step and for pH control of the fermenter. In this work, relevant process parameters to ensure an optimal operation of the continuous fermentative process by the EDBM will be presented. Optimization steps include module assembly of EDBM, adjusting the operating conductivity of the EDBM in preselected values and an optimization of hydrodynamic conditions in the EDBM module. As a result of this work, the performance indicators such as the energy consumption, energy efficiency and product quality could be significantly improved in comparison to a fermentative batch process.

Keywords:
electrodialysis, bipolar membrane, itaconic acid, optimization, continuous process