High pressure synthesis gas fermentation, January 15, 1991--April 14,1991
The components of synthesis gas can be converted into ethanol by the bacterium Clostridium ljunfdahlii, Strain PETC. This microorganism achieves complete conversion of synthesis gas and gives stoichiometric yields of ethanol with high energy efficiency. The reaction rate and bioreactor size are the controlling factors in the commercialization of this process.Synthesis gas fermentations are mass transfer limited due to the very low gas solubilities. It has been demonstrated that reaction rate is proportional to pressure at least up to 10 atm, the limit of existing experimental equipment. The equivalent retention time at 10 atm can be reduced to three minutes. It is felt that retention times of a few seconds are possible and can be demonstrated at higher pressures. With such short equivalent reaction times, the reactor volume for large scale alcohol production becomes nominal and commercial application is assured. The objective of this project is to construct and test a high pressure fermentation system for the production of ethanol from synthesis gas. This system will be fabricated and assembled and the unit used to define the effects of elevated pressure on the growth and performance of C. ljungdahlii. The limits of cell concentration and mass transport relationships will be found in immobilized cell and stirred tank reactors. Minimum retention times and reactor volumes will be found for ethanol production in these reactors.
- Research Organization:
- Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville, AR (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-91PC91028
- OSTI ID:
- 7270080
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/91028-T5; ON: DE92019656
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BIOREACTORS
CONSTRUCTION
ETHANOL
BIOSYNTHESIS
PRODUCTION
SYNTHESIS GAS
BIOCONVERSION
CLOSTRIDIUM
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
PROGRESS REPORT
REACTION KINETICS
ALCOHOLS
BACTERIA
DOCUMENT TYPES
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TESTING
090900* - Biomass Fuels- Processing- (1990-)