Use of a fiber conduit contactor for extraction

Abstract

Processes are provided which utilize fiber conduit reactors/contactors to effect extraction from a fluid stream, particularly a fermentation broth, a waste stream of a fermentation process, a fluid comprising a dye, or a fluid comprising a pharmaceutical compound. In particular, methods are provided which include introducing a first stream comprising an extractant and a second stream which is substantially immiscible with the first stream into a conduit reactor proximate a plurality of fibers. The streams are introduced into the conduit reactor such that they are in contact with each other and the extractant of the first stream interacts with the second stream to extract a fermentation product, a fermentation byproduct, a dye or a pharmaceutical compound from the second stream into the first stream. The method further includes receiving the first and second streams in collection vessel/s and withdrawing separately the first and second streams from collection vessel/s.