Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of target bio-base carboxylic acid products using a sorption-based technology with a mixed elution solvent optimized for minimized downstream distillation energy input. The sorption-based technology includes absorbing the targeted bio-base carboxylic acid products onto a non-ionic resin and eluting the targeted bio-base carboxylic acid products with a mixed elution solvent. The mixed elution solvent includes a first solvent and a second solvent. The first solvent has a boiling point that is lower than the targeted bio-base carboxylic acid products and the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of a phosphine oxide or tertiary amine.

The process involves extracting carboxylic acids having from one to nine carbons, the carboxylic acids produced by microorganisms in a fermentation reactor by anaerobic fermentation from fermentable biomass. The extraction is a liquid-liquid type, and includes a) choosing an endogenous extraction solvent among at least one of the carboxylic acids, such that the number of carbons of the solvent is greater than or equal to the number of carbons of the carboxylic acid to be extracted, b) bringing the extraction solvent chosen into contact with the fermentation medium, without interrupting the fermentation, outside the fermentation reactor, c) separating (6) the fermentative metabolites from the extraction solvent by at least one distillation, and d) collecting and storing or using the fermentative metabolites obtained in step c). The invention also relates to a facility for carrying out the process.

The process involves extracting carboxylic acids having from one to nine carbons, the carboxylic acids produced by microorganisms in a fermentation reactor by anaerobic fermentation from fermentable biomass. The extraction is a liquid-liquid type, and includes a) choosing an endogenous extraction solvent among at least one of the carboxylic acids, such that the number of carbons of the solvent is greater than or equal to the number of carbons of the carboxylic acid to be extracted, b) bringing the extraction solvent chosen into contact with the fermentation medium, without interrupting the fermentation, outside the fermentation reactor, c) separating (6) the fermentative metabolites from the extraction solvent by at least one distillation, and d) collecting and storing or using the fermentative metabolites obtained in step c). The invention also relates to a facility for carrying out the process.

The invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acids or salts thereof by hydrolysis or saponification of an ester, which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification and then hydrolyzed or saponified.

The invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acids or salts thereof by hydrolysis or saponification of an ester, which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification and then hydrolyzed or saponified.

A calcium carboxylate is prepared by reacting water, calcium oxide, and a compound of formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein R is a C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl and R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 or C.sub.2 alkyl. The reaction solution is heated to remove an amount of a co-product from the reaction solution. The calcium carboxylate may be recovered in a solid form from the reaction solution.

A calcium carboxylate is prepared by reacting water, calcium oxide, and a compound of formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein R is a C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl and R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 or C.sub.2 alkyl. The reaction solution is heated to remove an amount of a co-product from the reaction solution. The calcium carboxylate may be recovered in a solid form from the reaction solution.

Systems and methods for the electrochemical conversion of COT to multi-carbon products are provided. Each system and method comprises a sequence of multiple, independently optimized electrochemical reaction steps that take place in separate reaction chambers.

Systems and methods for the electrochemical conversion of COT to multi-carbon products are provided. Each system and method comprises a sequence of multiple, independently optimized electrochemical reaction steps that take place in separate reaction chambers.

Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of target bio-based products using a sorption-based technology with a mixed elution solvent optimized for minimized downstream distillation energy input.