Fermentation process
AssigneeLanzatech New Zealand Limited
InventorsSean Dennis Simpson, Sebastian Michal Bernasek
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Abstract
The invention provides methods and systems for the production of lipid products from a gaseous substrate using a two stage fermentation process. The method comprises providing a gaseous substrate comprising CO or CO2 and H2 or mixtures thereof, to a first bioreactor containing a culture or one or more microorganisms, and fermenting the substrate to produce acetate. The acetate from the first bioreactor is then provided to a second bioreactor, where it is used as a substrate for fermentation to lipids by one or more microalgae.
Claims22
A method for producing at least one lipid product from a gaseous substrate, the method comprising:
- a) receiving a gaseous substrate in a first bioreactor comprising a culture of at least one microorganism in a liquid nutrient medium, and fermenting the gaseous substrate to produce a product selected from an acid or an acid and an alcohol;
- and
- b) passing at least a portion of the acid product to a second bioreactor comprising a culture of at least one microalgae in a liquid nutrient medium, and fermenting the acid to produce at least one lipid product.
A method for controlling pH in a fermentation process, the method comprising:
- a) passing a gaseous substrate comprising CO or CO2 and H2, or mixtures thereof to a first bioreactor comprising a culture of at least one microorganism in a liquid nutrient medium, and fermenting the gaseous substrate to produce a broth comprising a product selected from at least one acid or at least one acid and at least one alcohol;
- b) passing at least a portion of the broth comprising the product to a second bioreactor comprising a culture of at least one microalgae in a liquid nutrient medium, and fermenting the acid to produce at least one lipid product;
- and
- c) recycling at least a portion of the broth from the second reactor back to the first bioreactor, wherein the acid concentration in the recycled broth is substantially reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.