Pengpeng Yang

Acetone-butanol-ethanol competitive sorption simulation from single, binary, and ternary systems in a fixed-bed of KA-I resin.

Separation of butanol based on sorption methodology from acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation broth has advantages in terms of biocompatibility and stability, as well as economy, and therefore gains much attention. In this work a chromatographic column model based on the solid film linear driving force approach and the competitive Langmuir isotherm equations was used to predict the competitive sorption behaviors of ABE single, binary, and ternary mixture. It was observed that the outlet concentration of weaker retained components exceeded the inlet concentration, which is an evidence of competitive adsorption. Butanol, the strongest retained component, could replace ethanol almost completely and also most of acetone. In the end of this work, the proposed model was validated by comparison of the experimental and predicted ABE ternary breakthrough curves using the real ABE fermentation broth as a feed solution.

Mathematical modeling of the competitive sorption dynamics of acetone–butanol–ethanol on KA-I resin in a fixed-bed column

The recovery and purification of biobutanol based on the adsorption method were performed in dynamic conditions. Computational and theoretical modeling is an important tool in the characterization, development, and validation of fixed-bed columns. Relevant breakthrough curves provide valuable information for designing fixed-bed adsorption processes for field applications. In the present study, a general rate model (GRM), implementing convection/diffusion approach theory and a competitive isotherm model, was used to predict the competitive sorption dynamics of acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) on a KA-I resin in a fixed-bed column under different operating conditions, i.e., inlet feed flow rate, initial adsorbate concentration, and bed height. The model simulation was quantified by the absolute average deviation (AAD). The calculated AAD values, ranging from 0.05 to 0.1, indicated that the GRM gives a general prediction for experimental data. The axial dispersion, external mass transfer, and pore diffusion coefficients were calculated by a series of empirical correlations. Biot number was used to identify the rate controlling step for the adsorption process of ABE on the resin. And the pore diffusion coefficient was found to be major governing factor for adsorption of ABE. The data and modeling presented are valuable for designing the continuous chromatographic separation process and simulation of ABE.

Solvent effects on nucleation of disodium guanosine 5′-monophosphate in anti-solvent/water mixtures

The influence of the solvent on the nucleation of disodium guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMPNa2) in eight methanol (ethanol)–water mixtures and at three supersaturation levels at 293.15 K was investigated. The interfacial free energy, the critical size for nucleation, and the number of molecules were calculated using equations re-derived from the classical nucleation theory. GMPNa2 nucleation involves not only a primary nucleation process but also the conversion from a homogeneous to a heterogeneous process. The transformation experiment indicated that the nucleation of GMPNa2 follows the two-step model. A surface entropy factor (fb) was proposed to relate the solvent composition and interfacial free energy in order to explain the solvent effects on the nucleation process. Although the fb values can be used to judge the crystal growth mode, nucleation and growth cannot be separated, since pure primary nucleation does not occur for this compound. The fb values clearly increased with increasing solvent content and decreasing supersaturation. For the homogeneous process in a methanol–water system, regular crystals can be formed only when fb > 5, regardless of the supersaturation, as was observed for solvent contents of 40 mol% and 30 mol% (S = 1.83 and 1.70, respectively). These results can help select a suitable solvent system and its composition during anti-solvent crystallization.

Co-localization of glucose oxidase and catalase enabled by a self-assembly approach: Matching between molecular dimensions and hierarchical pore sizes

To achieve efficient one-step production of gluconic acid, cascade reactions of glucose oxidase (GOD) and catalase (CAT) have been advocated in the biocatalysis system. In this work, the methodology of co-immobilization of GOD and CAT was investigated in details for obtaining improved enzyme loading and activity. The maximum adsorption capability of GOD and CAT was 24.18 and 14.33 mg·g-1, respectively. The matching between dimensions of enzymes and hierarchical pore sizes of carriers are critical to the success of immobilization process. The simultaneous self-assembly on glutaraldehyde cross-linked mesoporous carriers exhibited favorable properties in comparison with sequential immobilization of GOD and CAT. The conversion of glucose under adequate air by co-localized GOD&CAT sustained the activity more than 90% after repeated utilization in the production of sodium gluconate and gluconic acid, suggesting that the co-immobilized GOD&CAT could be a promising catalyst for gluconate and gluconic acid production in some chemical and food industries.

Model-based design of an intermittent simulated moving bed process for recovering lactic acid from ternary mixture

An intermittent simulated moving bed (3F-ISMB) operation scheme, the extension of the 3W-ISMB to the non-linear adsorption region, has been introduced for separation of glucose, lactic acid and acetic acid ternary-mixture. This work focuses on exploring the feasibility of the proposed process theoretically and experimentally. Firstly, the real 3F-ISMB model coupled with the transport dispersive model (TDM) and the Modified-Langmuir isotherm was established to build up the separation parameter plane. Subsequently, three operating conditions were selected from the plane to run the 3F-ISMB unit. The experimental results were used to verify the model. Afterwards, the influences of the various flow rates on the separation performances were investigated systematically by means of the validated 3F-ISMB model. The intermittent-retained component lactic acid was finally obtained with the purity of 98.5%, recovery of 95.5% and the average concentration of 38 g/L. The proposed 3F-ISMB process can efficiently separate the mixture with low selectivity into three fractions.

Nano-biocatalysts of Cyt c@ZIF-8/GO composites with high recyclability via a de novo approach

To improve the stability and recyclability of enzymes immobilized on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), graphene oxide (GO) with surface oxygen-rich functional groups was selected to form ZIF-8/GO nanocomposites with the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) for cytochrome c (Cyt c) immobilization. It was found that the functional groups on the GO surface were involved in the growth of ZIF-8 without affecting the crystal structure but their particle size was reduced to about 200 nm. The storage stability and resistance to organic solvents of Cyt c were obviously improved after the immobilization on the ZIF-8/GO nanocomposite. On one hand, compared with Cyt c@ZIF-8 and Cyt c@GO with 30 and 60% protein leakage, Cyt c@ZIF-8/GO displayed little protein leakage after 60 h of storage. On the other hand, Cyt c@ZIF-8/GO retained a residual activity of approximately 100% after being stored in ethanol and acetone for 2 h, whereas the free enzyme, Cyt c@ZIF-8, and Cyt c@GO retained only about 10, 50, and 40%, respectively. In addition, the Cyt c@ZIF-8/GO nanocomposites can be utilized up to four cycles with virtually no loss of activity and may be further applied on H2O2 biosensing systems. The synergistic effect between MOFs and GO in ZIF-8/GO nanocomposites provides infinite possibilities as immobilized enzyme carriers.

Insight into a direct solid–solid transformation: a potential approach for the removal of residual solvents

Here we report two new crystal forms of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium and the discovery of the direct solid–solid transformation process from its methanol trihydrate (solvate) to its pentahydrate form (hydrate) that is only mediated by humidity. These findings provide a potential approach for the removal of residual solvents in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and food additives.