Degradation of cellulosic biomass and its subsequent utilization for the production of chemical feedstocks. Progress report, December 1, 1976--February 28, 1977
The microbial degradation of cellulosic biomass has focused on the use of a thermophilic (55 to 60/sup 0/C), anaerobic microorganism, Clostridium thermocellum. When this organism is grown with a crystalline cellulose, the cellulases produced are mainly extracellular. This same organism when grown on solka floc, high specific growth rates are exhibited as well as the ability to produce high concentrations of soluble reducing sugars. The rate of soluble sugar production appears to be growth associated. Studies on acrylic acid production are focused on two organisms: Peptostreptococcus elsdenii and Clostridium propionicum. An economic analysis on the acetone/butanol fermentation has been completed. The results show that continuous operation can reduce significantly the production cost compared to batch operation with the cost of raw material being major fractions for both processes. An increase in solvent concentration will effect substantial cost reduction. The production of acetic acid by Clostridium thermoaceticum has been shown to occur rapidly by this organism. Acetic acid concentration between 15 to 20 gm/liter have been achieved, corresponding to 86 percent of the theoretical maximum yield.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Dept. of Nutrition and Food Science
- OSTI ID:
- 7209203
- Report Number(s):
- COO/4198-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Degradation of cellulosic biomass and its subsequent utilization for the production of chemical feedstocks. Progress report, June 1, 1977--August 31, 1977
Degradation of cellulosic biomass and its subsequent utilization for the production of chemical feedstocks
Related Subjects
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ACETIC ACID
ACETONE
ACRYLIC ACID
ALCOHOLS
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOCONVERSION
BIODEGRADATION
BIOSYNTHESIS
BUTANOLS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLOSTRIDIUM
CRYSTALS
DECOMPOSITION
ECONOMICS
ENZYMES
FERMENTATION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
KINETICS
MICROORGANISMS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
REACTION KINETICS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SACCHARIDES
SYNTHESIS
THERMOPHILIC CONDITIONS