Methods for sustaining the viability of acetogens during a decrease or cessation of syngas flow

摘要

The methods are disclosed for sustaining a population of microorganisms in an aqueous fermentation broth used in a process to convert syngas to alcohol when the supply of syngas is decreased or ceased. The methods involve supplying at least one reducible anion in a rate an amount sufficient to maintain the population of microorganisms.

主权项

1. A method for sustaining a population of microorganisms for the bioconversion of syngas to alcohol contained in an aqueous fermentation broth in the event of a decrease or cessation of syngas feed to the fermentation broth being used for the bioconversion which broth contains said alcohol, said method comprising continuously or intermittently adding during the period of decreased or ceased syngas feed at least one reducible anion selected from the group consisting of nitrate, sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulfate and metabisulfite anion, to the fermentation broth at a rate sufficient to substantially maintain the microorganism population by the bioconversion of alcohol to carboxylate anion and reduction of the at least one reducible anion but below that which would adversely affect the microorganisms.