Project

Pilot scale process for the production of caproic and caprylic acid from biorefinery sidestreams

Acronym
Caproic / Caprylic Acid
Code
F2015_IOF-ADVANC_081
Duration
15 October 2015 → 15 July 2017
Funding
Regional and community funding: Industrial Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Microbiology
    • Systems biology
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Laboratory medicine
    • Microbiology
    • Laboratory medicine
    • Laboratory medicine
    • Microbiology
Keywords
biorefinery sidestreams
 
Project description

A few years ago it was demonstrated that, under the right conditions, mixed populations are able to convert organic material from bioethanol production into medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCFA). Since 2011, LabMET-UGent has been developing a new concept based on membrane electrolysis, which makes it possible to extract the carboxylic acids without adding reagents. This eventually led to a technology that is attractive for upscaling and translation into practice. Subject to successful operation and optimization of the pilot, this project will pave the way for a demonstration installation to be constructed by our industrial partner. The main valorisation route for would therefore be via licensing of the technology for extracting MCFA.