Evaluation of kinetic and mass transfer parameters for adsorption of clavulanic acid into natural and synthetic zeolites

This work investigates the adsorption of clavulanic acid using natural six cationic forms (Na+, Ca+², Ba+², Sr²+, K+, and Mg²+) of the X and NZ zeolites in a stirred tank reactor since the separation is an important step of the biomolecule production. A mathematical model was proposed taking into account the transport of CA molecules from the liquid phase to the surface of the adsorbent and after diffusion into the particles. The estimated kinetic and mass transfer parameters were used to evaluate adsorption rates and mass transfer resistances involved in the separation of clavulanic acid from the broth. It has been shown that mass-transfer phenomena were a limiting step in the clavulanic acid adsorption process and that the adsorption rate should be considered to evaluate the system. Amongst the materials, the synthetic zeolite NaX was selected as the most appropriate material to separate clavulanic acid because this material presented the highest values for the observed reaction rate, compensating for the external mass transfer resistance. Modeling and simulation of clavulanic acid purification using the zeolite NaX showed a satisfactory fitting of experimental data. The model was used to simulate the process and it was evaluated for its technical and economical viability by comparisons considering the influence of the solid:liquid ratio on the adsorption equilibrium time and on the hydrolysed mass of biomolecule.