Removal of succinic acid from fermentation broth by multistage process (membrane separation and reactive extraction)

Application of the EDBM process in the proposed integrated system allowed elimination of acidification of broth which usually generates a considerable amount of wastes. The succinic acid, present in the aqueous stream after EDBM was removed in a three-step reactive extraction at more than 90% efficiency. Extraction can support membrane techniques to separate efficiently carboxylic acids from the post-fermentation broth, however, it is not selective enough to separate succinic acid from other acids present in the broths. The only way to reach selective extraction of succinic acid over acetic, lactic acids and glycerol is to decrease pH to 2 and use Cyanex 923 as an extractant.