You are on page 1of 7

US 20100075389A1

(19) United States


(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0075389 A1
Wurm et al. (43) Pub. Date: Mar. 25, 2010

(54) ALKYLENE OXIDE CAPPED SECONDARY Publication Classi?cation


ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATES AS (51) Int Cl
FERMENTATION FOAM CONTROL AGENTS CIP /06 (2006 01)
(76) Inventors: David Bradley Wurm, Pearland, C07C 43/11 (200601)
TX (Us); Yuri Alencar Marques, (52) US. Cl. ....................................... .. 435/161; 568/679
Botucatu (BR)
(57) ABSTRACT
Correspondence Address: Provided are foam control agents and their use for controlling
The DOW Chemlcal Company foam in fermentation processes. The foam control agents are
Intellectual Property Section, P.O. Box 1967 Ofthe formula 1:
Midland, MI 48641-1967 (US)

(21) Appl. No.: 12/561,466 (1)


R1
(22) F1led: Sep. 17, 2009 R2 O_(CH2CH2O)n_(CHR3CHR4O)y_H
Related US. Application Data H
(60) Provisional application No. 61/099,661, ?led on Sep.
24, 2008. Wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, 11 and y are as de?ned above.
US 2010/0075389 A1 Mar. 25, 2010

ALKYLENE OXIDE CAPPED SECONDARY manufacturing biofuels, for example, ethanol. The foam con
ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATES AS trol agents of the invention are of the formula I:
FERMENTATION FOAM CONTROL AGENTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION (1)


R1
[0001] The invention relates to compounds and methods for
controlling foaming in fermentation processes.
H
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Foam formation during fermentation processes is a wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a
Well knoW problem. Typically, the foam at the air-liquid inter linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to about 18
face is elastic in character and as such readily traps fermen carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 together contain from
tation gases rising to the surface. As the foam is relatively about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and further provided that
resistant to being broken, the gases remain in the top part of less than about 10 mole percent of R1 or R2 is hydrogen; R3
the liquid causing additional bubbles and increasing the vol and R4 are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl radical
ume of the foam. Unless rigorously controlled, the foam can containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, provided that R3
cause fermentation tank over?ow, Which can result in loss of and R4 together contain from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; n is
broth, loss of organism, such as yeast, and/or loss of product an average value ranging from about 3 to about 40; and y is an
(e.g., ethanol). average value ranging from about 0.5 to about 5.
[0003] Foam control agents are Well knoWn and used in the [0010] As demonstrated by the Examples beloW, the foam
fermentation industry. There is a need for neW foam control control agents of the invention are generally superior to
materials that exhibit increased potency and/ or are longer agents currently used in the fermentation industry. For
lasting than those currently being used. instance, the foam control agents of the invention can control
foam formation for a longer time than currently knoWn
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
agents. The foam control agents of the invention are also
[0004] In one aspect, the invention provides foam control generally biodegradable.
agents. The foam control agents are of the formula I: [0011] Preferred foam control agents of formula I are those
in which R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a
linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to about 15
(1) carbon atoms and R1 and R2 together contain from about 8 to
R1 about 16 carbon atoms. More preferably, R1 and R2 are each
independently hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group
containing from 1 to about 14 carbon atoms and R1 and R2
H together contain from about 9 to about 14 carbon atoms.
[0012] Also preferred are agents in Which y ranges from
[0005] wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen about 0.5 to about 3.5, more preferably from about 1 to about
or a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to about 2.5, and even more preferably from about 1 .5 to about 2.5, and
18 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 together contain particularly preferably from about 1.6 to about 2.3
from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and further provided [0013] Further preferred are agents in Which R3 and R4
that less than about 10 mole percent of R1 or R2 is hydrogen; together contain 2 carbon atoms.
R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl radical [0014] Additionally preferred are compounds in Which R3
containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, provided that R3 is H and R4 is ethyl.
and R4 together contain from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; n is [0015] Particularly preferred foam control agents for use in
an average value ranging from about 3 to about 40; and y is an the invention include those of formula II:
average value ranging from about 0.5 to about 5.
[0006] In another aspect, the invention provides methods
for preventing or controlling foaming in fermentation pro
cesses. The method comprises using in the fermentation pro
cess a foam control agent of formula I.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES


[0007] FIG. 1 is a plot of foam height as a function oftime R1 R2
and number of additions for foam control agents according to
the invention compared With commercial products.
Wherein n is an average value ranging from about 3 to about
[0008] FIG. 2 is a plot of foam height as a function oftime
15, more preferably about 9 to about 12; and y is an average
and number of additions for foam control agents according to
value ranging from about 0.5 to about 5, more preferably
the invention compared With commercial products.
about 1 to about 2.5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] In a preferred embodiment, n in formula II is 9. In a
further preferred embodiment, n is 12.
[0009] As noted above, the invention provides foam control [0017] In a still further preferred embodiment, R1 and R2
agents. The agents are particularly suitable for controlling are each independently hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl
foaming in fermentation processes, such as those used for group containing from 1 to about 14, more preferably each is
US 2010/0075389 A1 Mar. 25, 2010

a linear or branched alkyl containing 2-12 carbon atoms. Also canol, 7-penta-decanol, 2-hexadecanol, 3-hexadecanol,
preferably R1 and R2 together contain from about 1 1 to about 4-hexadecanol, 5-hexadecanol, 6-hexadecanol, 7-hexade
13 carbon atoms. Particularly preferably, R1 and R2 together canol, 8-hexadecanol, and combinations thereof. A particu
With the carbon to Which they are attached form linear dode larly preferred alcohol is 6-dodecanol.
cane. The oxide branch can be positioned at any location [0023] Up to about 10 mole percent of one or more primary
along the dodecane chain. Preferably, the oxide branch is on alcohols having carbon chain lengths ranging from about C10
the 6th carbon. A particularly preferred foam control agent is to about C16 may, in some embodiments, be included With the
of the formula: secondary alcohols speci?ed above, but such inclusion is not
required. Non-limiting examples of suitable primary alcohols
include 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol, 1-tridecanol,
1-tetradecanol, 1-pentadecanol, and 1-hexadecanol.
[0024] Generally, the foam control agents are prepared by
reacting the linear or branched secondary alcohol, or mixture
of alcohols, With ethylene oxide. This reaction serves to
increase the effective molecular Weight of the hydrophilic
portion of the molecule by the addition of ethylene oxide. For
example, in some non-limiting embodiments the desired
Wherein n and y are as de?ned above. degree of ethoxylation, represented by the subscript n in
[0018] As noted, the compounds of formula I are useful for Formula I, has values ranging from about 3 to about 40. In
controlling foaming in fermentation processes. Such pro preferred embodiments, n ranges from about 3 to about 20. In
cesses include, for instance, the production of ethanol and even more preferred embodiments, n ranges from about 3 to
other biofuels. The foam control agents of the invention may about 12.
be used as antifoamers and/or defoamers in any desired [0025] The methods and conditions used for this ethoxyla
amount so as to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the formation of tion step may be any that are knoWn to those skilled in the art.
foam. Those skilled in the art Will be able to determine usage For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, this reaction
amounts via a combination of general knowledge of the appli may be carried out at an elevated temperature or temperatures
cable ?eld as Well as routine experimentation Where needed. ranging from about 20 C. to about 180 C. In other non
Typically, the agent is used at a concentration of from about 1 limiting embodiments, the temperature may range from about
to about 1000 ppm, preferably from about 1 to about 100 ppm, 100 C. to about 160 C. Pressures from about 14 psig to
and more preferably from about 3 to about 30 ppm, based on about 60 psig may, in certain non-limiting embodiments, be
the total Weight of the fermentation broth. particularly ef?cacious, but other pressures may also be effec
[0019] As Will be understood by those skilled in the art, tively employed. Those skilled in the art Will be able to
additional ingredients may be used With the materials of the determine appropriate conditions With, at most, routine
invention to further enhance their effectiveness. For example, experimentation. Further discussion concerning preparation
using other antifoaming and/ or defoaming agents or surfac of secondary alcohol alkoxylates may be found in, for
tants With the agents of the invention may, in some circum example, Rakutani, et al., Secondary alcohol ethoxylates,
stances, be desirable. AnnualSuifaclanlsRer/iew (1999) 2, 216-247, Whichis incor
[0020] Fermentation processes are Well knoWn in the art porated herein by reference in its entirety.
and typically involve mixing a sugars solution, such as but not [0026] In some non-limiting embodiments the ethoxylation
limited to sugarcane juice, and a fermenting microorganism, (represented by the subscript n in Formula I) may be carried
such as bakers yeast Saccharomyces, in a batch or continu out in the presence of an effective amount of a suitable acidic
ous reactor, and fermenting the mixture to product formation. catalyst, such as a boron tri?uoride etherate solution, in order
[0021] Although there is no particular limitation on When in to increase the rate and/ or yield of the reaction. Metal cyanide
the fermentation process the foam control agent should be catalysts may alternatively be employed. The amount of the
added, it is generally preferred to add the material during catalyst may, in such embodiments, range from about 0.005
loading of the fermentation reactor With the sugar solution percent to about 1 percent by Weight, based on the alcohol.
and the microorganism or directly to the yeast, or even in the Suf?cient ethylene oxide is added to provide a preferred
fermentation reactor during the fermentation process. product molecular Weight range from about 300 to about
[0022] The foam control agents of the invention may be 1400. FolloWing the addition reaction, the product may be
prepared in a convenient and cost-effective manner. The start neutraliZed With a base, such as sodium hydroxide, and then
ing materials include, ?rst, at least one linear or branched puri?ed via distillation to remove unreacted alcohol and
secondary alcohol. This alcohol preferably contains a total of residual catalyst.
from about 7 to about 18 carbon atoms, more preferably from [0027] In the second, the product of the ethoxylation is
about 8 to about 16 carbon atoms. In particularly preferred capped With a second alkoxylene oxide, using knoWn alkoxy
embodiments, the alkyl group of the alcohol contains from lation techniques. The capped portion of the molecule repre
about 11 to about 15 carbon atoms. Suitable alcohols include, sented by Formula I hereinabove is represented as the group
for example, linear or branched isomers of the folloWing: containing the subscript y. For this ?nal capping alkoxylation,
2-decanol, 3-decanol, 4-decanol, 5-decanol, 2-undecanol, exemplary alkylene oxides include butylene oxide, pentene
3-undecanol, 4-undecanol, 5-undecanol, 2-dodecanol, oxide, hexene oxide, heptene oxide, or octene oxide, or any
3-dodecanol, 4-dodecanol, 5-dodecanol, 6-dodecanol, combination thereof. The amount of alkylene oxide used for
2-tridecanol, 3-tridecanol, 4-tridecanol, 5-tridecanol, 6-tride the capping may range from about 0.5 to about 5 times sto
canol, 2-tetradecanol, 3-tetradecanol, 4-tetradecanol, 5-tet ichiometric, and in certain particular embodiments, it may
radecanol, 6-tetradecanol, 7-tetradecanol, 2-pentadecanol, range from about 0.5 to about 3.5, or from about 1 to about 3,
3-pentadecanol, 4-pentadecanol, 5-pentadecanol, 6-pentade times stoichiometric. While a variety of alkylene oxides is
US 2010/0075389 A1 Mar. 25, 2010

suitable for use in this second step alkoxylation, in certain [0035] Invention Sample B: formula II material in Which n
non-limiting embodiments butylene oxide may be particu is 12 andy is about 1.5, and R1 and R2 and the carbonto Which
larly ef?cacious. One advantage of using butylene oxide, they are attached from a linear dodecane chain. The oxide
rather than, for example, a lower alkylene oxide such as branch is on the 6th carbon.
propylene oxide for this capping is that a reduced molar The commercially available products (Which are not
amount of butylene oxide serves to comparably suppress examples of the invention) are as folloWs:
foam and reduce the cloud point of the composition. There [0036] FLUENT-CANETM 149 Polyglycol (FC149): An
fore, the end product may be less expensive to produce than EO/PO block copolymer polyol available from The DoW
surfactants based on loWer alkylene oxide capping. Chemical Company.
[0028] Use of a linear or branched secondary alcohol as a [0037] TERGITOLTM Minfoam 2X: a random copolymer
starting material for the formation of the foaming agents of based on ethylene oxide and propylene oxide available from
the invention may result in a ?nal, capped product offering The DoW Chemical Company.
improved handling, higher solubility and narroWer gel range [0038] XB81508.00 Polyglycol @(B508), a commercial
in Water, better Wetting poWer, and reduced foaming (forming EO/PO block copolymer polyol (having a different block
more unstable foams), When compared With, for example, structure than FC149) available from The DoW Chemical
alkoxylated nonionic surfactants based on linear primary Company.
alcohols. [0039] In this example, an experimental apparatus is used
[0029] The methods used for the alkylene oxide capping to generated and measure foam height during bioethanol pro
may be any that are knoWn to those skilled in the art. For duction. Prior to testing (no considerable bioethanol is pro
example, in one embodiment, this reaction may be carried out duced in the test), a foam control agent is added to the fer
at an elevated temperature or temperatures in a range from mentation broth to minimiZe foam formation during the
about 200 C. to about 1800 C. In certain particular embodi fermentation process. Once the foam reaches a certain height,
ments, the temperature may range from about 60 C. to about a defoamer such as mineral oil is added to again reduce the
160 C. Pressures from about 14 psig to about 60 psig may, in foam beloW a certain level. Each time the foam height reaches
certain non-limiting embodiments, be employed, but other a certain level, more defoamer is added to again reduce the
pressures may also be suitably ef?cacious. Those skilled in foam to the desired height. Measuring foam height and the
the art Will be able to determine appropriate and/ or optimiZed required number of additions of defoamer in this Way permits
conditions and methodology upon, at most, routine experi one to gauge the ef?cacy of a foam control agent. The results
mentation. of such an experiment involving the compounds of the present
[0030] In some non-limiting embodiments the capping invention are shoWn in FIG. 1. The results of this experiment
alkoxylation may be carried out in the presence of an effective are also summarized in Table 1.
amount of a suitable alkaline catalyst, such as a hydroxide of
an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. A particularly conve TABLE 1
nient catalyst, in some non-limiting embodiments, is potas
Product Adds of defoam
sium hydroxide. The amount of alkaline catalyst may, in such
embodiments, range from about 0.005 percent to about 1 NO ANTIFOAM (comparative example) 179
percent by Weight, based on the alcohol. Following the reac FC149 300 ul (comparative example) 38
tion, the product may be neutralized With an acid, such as XB508 300 ul (comparative example) 21
Invention Sample A 300 ul (invention example) 12
phosphoric acid or acetic acid. Acetic acid is advantageous Invention Sample B 300 ul (invention example) 0
because the soluble acetate salts may, in some embodiments, Minfoam 2x 300 ul (comparative example) 72
be left in the product so no ?ltration step Would be necessary.
The product may be used as is, or further puri?ed, such as by
distillation. For each example, 300 microliters of foam control agent is
added to the fermentation tank. Adds of defoam refers to the
[0031] The foam control agents of formula I, prepared as
number of additions of defoamer, such as mineral oil, that is
described above, are generally block copolymers that are
required to reduce the foam level.
based on secondary alcohols.
[0040] FIG. 2 provides the results for a repeat of the above
[0032] The folloWing examples are illustrative of the inven example, again shoWing the superiority of the foam control
tion but are not intended to limit its scope.
agents of the current invention in foam control in this appli
cation. The results of this experiment are also summariZed in
EXAMPLES Table 2.
Example 1 TABLE 2
Comparison of Foam Control Agents of the Inven Product Adds of defoam
tion to Commercially Available Products
NO ANTIFOAM (comparative example) 139
FC149 300 ul (comparative example) 63
[0033] This example compares foam control agents of the XB508 300 ul (comparative example) 22
invention With commercially available products for foam Invention Sample A 300 ul (invention example) 0
control in bioethanol production. Invention Sample B 300 ul (invention example) 0
The materials of the invention are as folloWs: Minfoam 2x 300 ul (comparative example) 79

[0034] Invention Sample A: formula II material in Which n


is 9, y is about 1.5, and R1 and R2 and the carbon to Which they [0041] While the invention has been described above
are attached from a linear dodecane chain. The oxide branch according to its preferred embodiments, it can be modi?ed
is on the 6th carbon. Within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application
US 2010/0075389 A1 Mar. 25, 2010

is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adapta 6. A foam control agent according to claim 1 having the
tions of the invention using the general principles disclosed formula II:
herein. Further, the application is intended to cover such
departures from the present disclosure as come Within the
knoWn or customary practice in the art to Which this invention
pertains and Which fall Within the limits of the following
claims.

1. A foam control agent of formula I:

7. A foam control agent according to claim 6 Wherein n is


(1) an average value ranging from about 3 to about 15.
R1 8. A foam control agent according to claim 6 Wherein y is
an average value ranging about 1 to about 2.5.
9. A foam control agent according to claim 6 wherein R1
H and R2 are each independently a linear or branched alkyl
containing 2-12 carbon atoms and together contain from
about 11 to about 13 carbon atoms.
10. A foam control agent according to claim 6 wherein R1
and R2 together With the carbon to Which they are attached
wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a form linear dodecane.
linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to about 18 11. A foam control agent according to claim 6 having the
carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 together contain from formula:
about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and further provided that
less than about 10 mole percent of R1 or R2 is hydrogen; R3
and R4 are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl radical
containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, provided that R3
and R4 together contain from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; n is
an average value ranging from about 3 to about 40; and y is an
average value ranging from about 0.5 to about 5.
2. A foam control agent according to claim 1 wherein R1
and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a linear or
branched alkyl group containing from 1 to about 15 carbon 12. A foam control agent according to claim 6 Wherein n is
9.
atoms and R1 and R2 together contain from about 8 to about 13. A foam control agent according to claim 6 Wherein n is
16 carbon atoms. 12.
3. A foam control agent according to claim 1 wherein R1 14. A method for controlling foam in a fermentation pro
and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a linear or cess, the method comprising using in the fermentation pro
cess a foam control agent according to claim 1.
branched alkyl group containing from 1 to about 14 carbon 15. A method according to claims 14 Wherein the fermen
atoms and R1 and R2 together contain from about 9 to about tation process is biofuel production.
14 carbon atoms. 16. A method according to claim 14 Wherein the fermen
4. A foam control agent according to claim 1 Wherein y tation process is ethanol production.
ranges from about 0.5 to about 3.5. 17. A method according to claim 14 Wherein the fermen
tation process is sugar cane based bioethanol production.
5. A foam control agent according to claim 1 Wherein R3
* * * * *
and R4 together contain 2 carbon atoms.

You might also like