A PROCESS FOR PREPARING SUCCINATE ESTER

摘要

This invention relates to a process for preparing succinate ester from a succinic acid salt present in a fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid in the form of a succinic acid salt through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt present in the fermentation broth is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to the release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with an alcohol washing step and subjected to esterification reaction to produce succinate ester which is purified by fractional distillation. The succinate ester thus obtained is converted into 1,4-butanediol, gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran through hydrogenation reactions. The succinate ester can also be hydrolyzed to yield highly pure succinic acid.

主权项

1. A process for preparing succinate ester comprising the steps of:
(a) fermentation of carbohydrate substrates using a biocatalyst to produce succinate salt; (b) clarification of fermentation broth to remove biocatalyst and insolubles; (c) concentration of said clarified fermentation broth from step (b); (d) acidification of concentrated fermentation broth from step (c); (e) controlled crystallization of succinic acid in the acidified and concentrated fermentation broth from step (d); (f) separating crystalline succinic acid from mother liquor; (g) dissolving said crystalline succinic acid crystal from step (f) in an alcohol; (h) esterification of said succinic acid dissolved in alcohol in step (g); and (i) recovering succinic acid ester through distillation.