LACTIC ACID PRODUCTION, SEPARATION AND/OR RECOVERY PROCESS

摘要

A process for the production of lactic acid and for the separation and/or recovery of lactic acid from a lactate feed solution. A lactate feed solution (14) preferably obtained from a fermentation broth (10) is combined with an extractant and extracted (18) from the resulting organic phase (21). Recovered carbonate or bicarbonate (29) from the aqueous phase (20) is preferably recycled to the fermentor (10) and regenerated extractant (17) is preferably recycled (24) for use in the extraction.