INDUSTRIAL SEPARATION OF CARBOXYLIC AND AMINO-ACIDS BY LIQUID MEMBRANES - APPLICABILITY, PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS, AND POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES

Liquid-liquid extraction and membrane separation are well-known separation methods of extensive industrial application. Their incorporation into liquid membranes has the potential of several advantages, some of which are of particular interest for the recovery of carboxylic and amino acids: selectivities higher than those attainable by current separation methods, saving on energy cost for final concentration of separated products, high fluxes, compact installation, and low capital and operation costs. Stability of the liquid membrane, which is a precondition for achieving these advantages, can be secured by utilizing extractant blocking polymeric membranes. Applicability, process consideration, and economic implications for recovery of carboxylic and amino acids by various extractant/membrane combinations are discussed.