Selective pertraction of dicarboxylic acids from simulated Rhizopus oryzae fermentation broths

Fumaric, malic and succinic acids have been selectively separated by facilitated pertraction with Amberlite LA-2, using n-heptane as liquid membrane. The feed phase consisted on viscous aqueous solution with similar mixture of carboxylic acids and viscosity as those of Rhizopus oryzae fermentation broth. Due to the differences between the acidities and molecule size of these acids, it is possible to selectively recover fumaric acid from the initial solution. The pH-gradient between the feed and stripping phases, as well as carrier concentration in the liquid membrane represent the main process parameters influencing the pertraction selectivity. Among them, Amberlite LA-2 concentration exhibits the most important control on the selectivity factor S, the maximum value of S being reached for carrier concentration of 30 g/l. The increase of feed phase viscosity amplified the magnitude of these influences on pertraction selectivity, due to the hindrance of acids diffusion towards the region where their reaction with Amberlite LA-2 occurs, effect more important for malic acid. Therefore, by modifying the viscosity from 1 to 24 cP, the maximum value of selectivity factor was increased from 12 to 18.8.