Electrochemical Crystallization Concept for Succinic Acid Reduces Waste Salt Production

Abstract

Bio-based carboxylic acids are promising platform chemicals. State-of-the-art fermentations produce salts of carboxylic acids at neutral pH. Downstream processing of these fermentation broths traditionally involves a pH shift producing waste salts. These waste salts reduce the sustainability and economics of bio-cased carboxylic acid production. Waste salt production can be avoided by inducing the pH shift electrochemically. Experimental feasibility studies of an electrochemical downstream process and investigations of electrochemically induced nucleation and crystal growth are given. The presented electrochemical downstream concept enables in situ production of succinic acid and simultaneous pH management of pH neutral fermentations without the side production of waste salts.