A Two-Stage Reactor and Cell Recycle System for Enhanced Alcohol Production from Syngas

2017 USDA-NIFA Center Award

Principal Investigators and affiliations:

• PI: Dr. Hasan Atiyeh, Oklahoma State University
  
• Co-PI: Dr. Ralph Tanner (University of Oklahoma)
  
• Funded: $150,024
  
• Start Date: 06/01/2017
  
• End Date: 05/31/2019

The goal is to develop a stable and efficient two-stage syngas fermentation producing at least 40 g/L ethanol with a residence time of 40 hours or less.

Objectives

1. Medium optimization and microbial strain adaptation
2. Characterization and optimization of the novel two-stage reactor with cell recycle
3. Process modeling of the novel two-stage reactor with cell recycle

Expected Outcomes

Successful completion of this project will result in development of a stable and efficient two-stage syngas fermentation producing at least 40 g/L ethanol with a residence time of 40 hours or less. The syngas composition will be varied within a range of output expected from various feedstocks. At the conclusion of this project, the operating parameters for the two-stage reactor that results in the highest ethanol titer and productivity will be identified. These parameters will be used in scale up of syngas fermentation.