REACTIVE DISTILLATION IN A MIXED ACID ESTERIFICATION PROCESS FOR BIOBASED CHEMICALS PRODUCTION

摘要

Bio-based succinic acid (SA) obtained by fermentation is considered a major building block for a future sustainable chemical industry. It can be used as feedstock and intermediate in production of solvents, surfactants, biodegradable polymers, specialty chemicals and commodities [1-7]. Commonly, SA produced by fermentation is obtained as sodium, calcium or ammonium salt in diluted aqueous solutions. These solutions might contain acetic acid (AcAc), and also small amounts of pyruvic, lactic, and/or formic acid [7], making difficult to isolate pure SA crystals.