SINOPEC Makes Breakthrough in Pilot Scale Manufacture of Succinic Acid by Biological Method

The first in China pilot unit for biological conversion of biomass, the 1 000 t/a succinic acid unit at the Yangzi Petrochemical Company (YPC), has accomplished its third test production target to deliver high-purity succinic acid, which has laid a good foundation to study and develop the process design package (PDP) of a successive 10 kt/a succinic acid production unit.

YPC in collaboration with the Nanjing University of Technology has developed this technology for synthesis of succinic acid through biological fermentation means. During the experimental phase the pilot unit using corn as the starting material could absorb 0.37 tons of carbon dioxide on each ton of succinic acid produced, featuring a typical environmental protection advantage judging from the production process and the products obtained thereby.

The commercial unit will add a front-end processing unit for treating corn stalks, which can carve out a new route for farmers to dispose of corn stalks and can provide a comprehensive scheme beneficial to both the enterprise and environmental protection.

The 1 000 t/a succinic acid unit at YPC is comprised of such sections as the strain screening, the anaerobic fermentation, and the separation and purification procedures. This test unit has formed a whole series of proprietary technology that is in the lead among domestic enterprises to assume a globally advanced level. Currently the fourth phase of test production on the pilot succinic acid unit has been a great success with the production activity being carried out smoothly across the whole process flow scheme.