DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2002.04.115.1
--- In this paper, we present applied methanol recycling
technology utilising chromatographic applications, which has
been designed for an academic-size institution. The procedure
is combined out of proper recovery technique and the biodegradation
method intended for postprocessing residues. Additionally,
analytical methods controlling the quality of the process
are described in detail in order to enable full transfer of the
proposed methodology to the analogous institution. The recovered
solvent is of relatively high purity (>99.92%), containing
traces of water and volatile compounds. The spectral purity is
sufficient to employ recycled methanol in HPLC applications
where low wavelength detection is necessary. Biodegradation of
distillation first-cuts and still bottoms is implemented using isolated
strains of Methylobacterium organophilum. During the
biodegradation process, a series of carotenoids are biosynthesized,
which are of a high commercial value. The proposed application,
therefore, offers not only a sustainable, waste-free solution
in handling methanol waste, but can also serve as a potential
source of value. |
