INTEGRATED PROCESSES FOR ANAEROBIC CONVERSION OF HYDROGEN AND CARBON OXIDES TO ALCOHOL

摘要

Integrated processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol wherein a gas substrate of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide is in contact with an aqueous menstruum that continuously contacts the gas substrate with said aqueous menstruum to produce alcohol and a depleted gas phase that is continuously withdrawn from the aqueous menstruum; continuously or intermittently and the gas substrate is made up of at least two gases having different compositions to provide an overall gas substrate having a ratio of electrons to carbon atoms in the range of about 5.2:1 to 6.8:1.

主权项

1. A continuous process for the anaerobic bioconversion of a gas substrate comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide in an aqueous menstruum containing microorganisms suitable for converting said substrate to alcohol, comprising: continuously contacting said gas substrate with said aqueous menstruum to bioconvert gas substrate to alcohol and providing an alcohol-containing menstruum and a depleted gas phase; continuously withdrawing the depleted gas phase from said aqueous menstruum; continuously or intermittently withdrawing a portion of said menstruum for recovery of said alcohol, said withdrawal being sufficient to maintain the alcohol in said menstruum below a concentration that unduly adversely affects the microorganisms, wherein at least two gases having different compositions are used as the gas substrate to provide an overall gas substrate having a ratio of electrons to carbon atoms in the range of about 5.2:1 to 6.8:1.