Method for production of n-propanol and/or ethanol by fermentation of multiple substrates in a symbiotic manner

摘要

This invention provides methods and systems for the production of n-propanol and ethanol. Specifically, the methods and systems of the present invention use symbiotic co-cultures for the production of propanol from syngas.

主权项

1. A method for the production of alcohols, including at least one of ethanol and n-propanol comprising:
a. feeding an exogenous stream of carboxylate salts containing at least one of propionate salts and acetate salts and feeding a gaseous mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a first fermentation zone containing acetogenic microorganisms; b. fermenting at least one of polyols, carbohydrates and proteins in a second fermentation zone containing a second fermentation zone to produce the exogenous stream of carboxylate salts containing at least one of propionate salts and acetate salts in an aqueous solution; c. producing acetate and ethanol from the carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the first fermentation zone by contact with the acetogenic microorganisms; d. simultaneously with step c, reducing carboxylates containing at least acetate and propionate to produce the corresponding alcohol containing at least one of n-propanol or ethanol by contact with the acetogenic microorganisms; and, e. recovering the corresponding alcohol containing at least one of n-propanol or ethanol from a fermentation broth recovered from the first fermentation zone.