System and method of biocatalytic conversion for production of alcohols, ketones, and organic acids
AssigneeThe Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University
InventorHasan K. Atiyeh
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Abstract
Biocatalytic conversion systems and methods of producing and using same that have improved yields are disclosed. The systems and methods involve co-fermentation of sugars and gaseous substrates for alcohol, ketone, and/or organic acid production. The systems and methods may include biocatalytically converting at least one sugar substrate into at least one of alcohol, at least one ketone, and/or at least one organic acid. The systems and methods may further include biocatalytically converting gases that comprise CO2 and H2 to at least one alcohol and/or at least one organic acid, thereby adding extra revenue to biorefineries.
Claims20
A method of biocatalytic conversion that utilizes a co-fermentation process for sugar and gaseous substrates, the method comprising the steps of:
- (i) contacting at least one fermentation medium with at least one first microorganism in a first reactor, wherein the at least one fermentation medium comprises at least one sugar substrate, and wherein the at least one first microorganism converts the at least one sugar substrate into at least one of acetone, butanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetic acid, and butyric acid, and wherein a gaseous substrate comprising CO2 and H2 gases is produced during the fermentation process;
- (ii) preparing an inoculum preparation of at least one second microorganism by pre-culturing the at least one second microorganism in the presence of a gas mixture comprising at least three gases selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen;
- (iii) inoculating a second reactor with the inoculum preparation of the at least one second microorganism;
- and
- (iv) feeding the gaseous substrate produced in the first reactor into the second reactor, the second reactor comprising at least one medium containing the at least one second microorganism, wherein the at least one second microorganism converts CO2 and H2 gases of the gaseous substrate produced in the first reactor and fed into the second reactor into at least one of an alcohol and an organic acid;
- wherein a substrate produced in the second reactor is not fed into the first reactor;
- and
- wherein the second reactor has a volume that is larger than a volume of the first reactor.
A biocatalytic conversion system that utilizes a co-fermentation process for sugar and gaseous substrates, the biocatalytic conversion system comprising:
- a first reactor comprising at least one fermentation medium containing at least one first microorganism, wherein the at least one fermentation medium comprises at least one sugar substrate, and wherein the at least one first microorganism comprises a sugar fermenting species that converts sugars into at least one of acetone, butanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetic acid, and butyric acid, and wherein a gaseous substrate comprising CO2 and H2 gases is produced during the fermentation process;
- a second reactor comprising at least one medium containing at least one second microorganism, wherein the at least one second microorganism comprises a gas fermenting species that converts CO2 and H2 gases into at least one of an alcohol and an organic acid;
- and
- a gas line connecting the first reactor to the second reactor for feeding the gaseous substrate produced in the first reactor into the second reactor;
- wherein the biocatalytic conversion system is absent a second line for feeding a substrate produced in the second reactor into the first reactor;
- and
- wherein a ratio of first reactor volume to second reactor volume is in a range of from about 1:2 to about 1:10.
A biocatalytic conversion system that utilizes a co-fermentation process for sugar and gaseous substrates, the biocatalytic conversion system comprising:
- a first reactor comprising at least one fermentation medium containing at least one first microorganism, wherein the at least one fermentation medium comprises at least one sugar substrate, and wherein the at least one first microorganism comprises a sugar fermenting species, wherein the sugar fermenting species is capable of converting sugars into at least one of acetone, butanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetic acid, and butyric acid, wherein the sugar fermenting species is capable of producing a gaseous substrate comprising CO2 and H2 gases during the fermentation process, and wherein a headspace of the first reactor has a CO2 concentration in a range of from about 40% to about 100% prior to inoculation with the at least one first microorganism;
- a second reactor comprising at least one medium containing at least one second microorganism, wherein the at least one second microorganism comprises a gas fermenting species, wherein the gas fermenting species is capable of converting CO2 and H2 gases into at least one of an alcohol and an organic acid;
- and
- a gas line connecting the first reactor to the second reactor for feeding the gaseous substrate produced in the first reactor into the second reactor;
- wherein a ratio of first reactor volume to second reactor volume is in a range of from about 1:2 to about 1:10;
- and
- wherein the biocatalytic conversion system is absent a second line for feeding a substrate produced in the second reactor into the first reactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.