Enhanced 2,3-Butanediol Purification Using a Hybrid Extraction Process
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Recovering 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) from fermentation broth is challenging due to its complex composition and impurities. This work develops an integrated aqueous two-phase extraction–distillation method to improve recovery efficiency. Screening of multiple aqueous two-phase systems identified isobutanol/K 2 HPO 4 as the most effective based on distribution behavior. A CCD-RSM design was used to optimize salt concentration, temperature, and solvent content, yielding ideal conditions of 25% (w/v) K 2 HPO 4 , 40 °C, and 30% (v/v) isobutanol. Under these settings, the system achieved a distribution coefficient of 60.47 and an extraction efficiency of 98.23%, slightly higher (0.42%) than model predictions. The enriched extract was subsequently concentrated by distillation, and scale-up runs delivered 98.31% extraction and 98.02% recovery with product purity exceeding 99% in a single cycle. Methanol-assisted crystallization enabled 96.85% recovery of K 2 HPO 4 from the aqueous stream. Overall, this cost-efficient and scalable process enhances 2,3-BD separation while facilitating solvent and salt reuse for industrial applications.
