Process for producing ethanol
AssigneeZea Chem, Inc.
InventorsDan Verser, Tim Eggeman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for producing ethanol including a combination of biochemical and synthetic conversions results in high yield ethanol production with concurrent production of high value coproducts. An acetic acid intermediate is produced from carbohydrates, such as corn, using enzymatic milling and fermentation steps, followed by conversion of the acetic acid into ethanol using esterification and hydrogenation reactions. Coproducts can include corn oil, and high protein animal feed containing the biomass produced in the fermentation.
Claims20
A method to produce ethanol, comprising:
- (a) fermenting a medium comprising a carbohydrate source into acetate, acetic acid or mixtures thereof;
- (b) esterifying said acetate, acetic acid or mixtures thereof to an acetic acid ester in the presence of an alcohol;
- and
- (c) hydrogenating said acetic acid ester to said ethanol and said alcohol, wherein hydrogen for said step of hydrogenating is produced by a method selected from the group consisting of steam reforming, water electrolysis, gasification from biomass, partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, and partial oxidation of coal.
A method to produce ethanol, comprising:
- (a) culturing in a fermentation medium comprising a carbohydrate source a homoacetogenic microorganism to produce acetate, acetic acid or mixtures thereof;
- (b) esterifying said acetate, acetic acid or mixtures thereof to an acetic acid ester in the presence of an alcohol;
- and
- (c) hydrogenating said acetic acid ester to said ethanol and said alcohol.
The method of claim 18, wherein said acetic acid is produced by acidifying acetate salt produced during said step of fermenting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.