Fermentative production of glutamic acid from renewable carbon source: Process intensification through membrane-integrated hybrid bio-reactor system

•Three stage membranes scheme developed for direct l (+) glutamic acid production.•High yield, productivity, and purity at reduced cost achieved.•Process intensification measured and analysed.•New process represents high process intensification.

A three-stage membrane-integrated hybrid reactor system was developed and experimentally investigated for direct production of l (+) glutamic acid from a cheap and renewal carbon source. This manufacturing scheme is a continuous one with selective production of glutamic acid by fermentation of sugar cane juice using Corynebacterium glutamicum. Integration of specially designed membrane modules with traditional fermenter culminated in development of a hybrid process with high process intensification that permitted fermentation under high cell density with recycle of separated cells and unconverted sugars. The modular design ensured high yield (0.95 g/g), productivity (8.3 g/l/h), concentration (175 g/L) and purity (∼97%) in a very simple, environmentally benign, compact and flexible plant configuration reflecting all the major characteristics of high process intensification. Process intensification measured and analysed in terms of space intensification, application flexibility, capacity flexibility, energy saving and cost advantage parameters indicate development of an economically viable green process.