Desalination, Vol.241, No.1-3, 8-13, 2009
Semi-continuous enzymatic production and membrane assisted separation of isoamyl acetate in alcohol - ionic liquid biphasic system
Enzymatic production of an important natural flavor ester, isoamyl acetate, was studied by using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase Bin [bmim]PF6 ionic liquid. The reaction was completed by removing water produced in the reaction by zeolite adsorption, and practically 100% yield was achieved. An integrated system was developed for the separation of the isoamyl alcohol-water-isoamyl acetate ternary azeotropic mixture, combining pervaporation and osmotic distillation. The Sulzer "Pervap 2256" flat sheet hydrophobic pervaporation membrane was found to be 100% selective for isoamyl alcohol.