Development of a process for production of liquid fuels from biomass

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5354484

Levy, P F; Sanderson, J E; Wise, D L

A process is being developed for the production of liquid alkane fuels from biomass. The process consists of three steps: (1) anaerobic, suppressed methane fermentation of biomass to organic acids; (2) selective liquid-liquid extraction of butyric, valeric, and caproic acids; and (3) electrolytic oxidation of the acid salts to an alkane fuel and hydrogen. This article focuses on current developmental work. A variety of substrates was tested to determine their rate and efficiency of conversion to organic acids. Low pH and elevated organic acid levels were found to favor fermentation to higher acids. Optimal conditions for the electrolytic oxidation have been sought. A favorable energy balance (product energy/process energy) of 3.0/1.0 has been estimated for the complete process.

• Research Organization: Dynatech R/D Co., Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 5354484
• Report Number(s): CONF-810554-
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States), Vol. 11; Conference: 3. symposium on biotechnology in energy production and conservation, Gatlinburg, TN, USA, 12 May 1981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
ALKANES
PRODUCTION
BIOMASS
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ENERGY BALANCE
EXTRACTION
ORGANIC ACIDS
OXIDATION
PH VALUE
BIOCONVERSION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)
090122 - Hydrocarbon Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)