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 adaption
(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.