Bioconversion of coal derived synthesis gas to liquid fuels. Quarterly technical progress report, 1 April--30 June 1994

Technical Report · Mon Jul 18 04:00:00 EDT 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10182969· OSTI ID:10182969

Jain, M K; Worden, R M; Grethlein, A

The overall objective of the project is to develop an integrated two-stage fermentation process for conversion of coal-derived synthesis gas to a mixture of alcohols. This is achieved in two steps. In the first step, Butyribacterium methylotrophicum converts carbon monoxide (CO) to butyric and acetic acids. Subsequent fermentation of the acids by Clostridium acetobutylicum leads to the production of butanol and ethanol. The tasks for this quarter were: development/isolation of superior strains for fermentation of syngas; evaluation of bioreactor configuration for improved mass transfer of syngas; recovery of carbon and electrons from H{sub 2}-CO{sub 2}; initiation of pervaporation for recovery of solvents; and selection of solid support material for trickle-bed fermentation. Technical progress included the following. Butyrate production was enhanced during H{sub 2}/CO{sub 2} (50/50) batch fermentation. Isolation of CO-utilizing anaerobic strains is in progress. Pressure (15 psig) fermentation was evaluated as a means of increasing CO availability. Polyurethane foam packing material was selected for trickle bed solid support. Cell recycle fermentation on syngas operated for 3 months. Acetate was the primary product at pH 6.8. Trickle bed and gas lift fermentor designs were modified after initial water testing. Pervaporation system was constructed. No alcohol selectivity was shown with the existing membranes during initial start-up.

• Research Organization: Michigan Biotechnology Inst., Lansing, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-92PC92117
• OSTI ID: 10182969
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/92117--T9; ON: DE94018849; BR: AA2560000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010408
09 BIOMASS FUELS
090900
ACETIC ACID
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BACTERIA
BIOREACTORS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BUTANOLS
BUTYRIC ACID
C1 PROCESSES
CLOSTRIDIUM
COAL GASIFICATION
DESIGN
ETHANOL
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FERMENTATION
IMMOBILIZED CELLS
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
PROCESSING
PROGRESS REPORT
SYNTHESIS GAS