Biomass fermentation technology, Project No. 1. Final performance report. Cooperative research and training in biomass conversion and utilization

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6907307

The DOE sponsored cooperative research and training program in biomass conversion and utilization initiated a program between Auburn University and the Tennessee Valley Authority which is in its third year. The program was initiated to train students in biomass fermentation and to further the technology for conversion of wood sugars to alcohol fuels. Three students have earned graduate degrees - two M.S. and one Ph.D. The research conducted by the students contributed to the development of TVA's process of wood sugar conversion to ethanol. Research accomplishments were in the utilization of first stage hydrolyzate. Two fermentations, ethanol and 2,3-butanediol, have been shown through preliminary studies and published reports to be best adaptable to wood sugar conversion. Production of ethanol from first stage hydrolyzate was accomplished with the yeast Pachysolen tannophilus NRRL Y-2640. Saccharomyces uvarum was used to ferment sugars in second stage hydrolyzate to ethanol. A bacterium (AUI-D3N) isolated at Auburn University was used to produce 2,3-butanediol. Pachysolen tannophilus and culture AUL-D3N ferment pentose and hexose sugars while Saccharomyces uvarum ferments only hexose sugars. From purified sugars, the organisms produce yields of ethanol or 2,3-butanediol which are greater than 74% of theoretical. Studies were conducted to evaluate possible inhibitory effects of phenolic compounds, acetic acid and furfural on growth and ethanol production by Pachysolen tannophilus. Initial studies showed sulfuric acid hydrolyzed wood was very toxic to AUI-D3N (2,3 butanediol biosynthesis). Calcium hydroxide precipitation of wood hydrolyzate improved growth and 2,3-butanediol production, however, treatment with ion exchange resins proved to be the most effective method for optimizing growth and production. 7 references.

• Research Organization: Auburn Univ., AL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG05-81ER10265
• OSTI ID: 6907307
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/10265-1; ON: DE84011594
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090222* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ACID HYDROLYSIS
ALCOHOLS
BACTERIA
BIOCONVERSION
BUTANEDIOLS
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ETHANOL
FERMENTATION
FUNGI
GLYCOLS
HEXOSES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLYSIS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LYSIS
MICROORGANISMS
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PRODUCTION
SACCHARIDES
SOLVOLYSIS
SULFURIC ACID
WOOD
YEASTS