| abstract |
The invention provides a process for the recovery of purified lactic acid values from an aqueous feed solution containing lactic acid, lactic acid salt, or mixtures thereof, comprising: bringing the feed solution into contact with a substantially immiscible anion exchanger to form a substantially water-immiscible phase comprising an anion exchanger-lactic acid adduct; effecting a condensation reaction in the substantially water-immiscible phase between a carboxylic moiety of the lactic acid adduct and a moiety selected from a hydroxyl moiety and a primary or secondary amine moiety to respectively form a lactic acid ester or amine product; and separating the formed lactic acid product from the anion exchanger. |